34: Women in STEM: A Conversation with Lauren Pugh on the Value of Project Based Learning Experiences and the Importance of Curiosity and Exploration for Girls in Education.

STEM teacher and educator Lauren Pugh discusses with Jimmy Bowens her background, education and the way in which developing a curiosity mindset, Kiwi ingenuity and building confidence through the unpacking of answers has enabled her to become a successful woman in STEM.  

Lauren talks about the way in which assessment driven outcomes can hinder women or girls in STEM and can create a negative experience for early learners in the field, curiosity and exploration should be the priority as opposed to overall outcome. She explores how communicating how to be confident and have a growth mindset through the traditionally challenging environment of online learning requires project based learning experiences, the weaving of educational objectives with a personal journey, and the proactive fostering of a go-getter attitude in girls.

"I never call STEM Science Technology and Maths. I say it’s a problem-solving mindset, a curiosity mindset. Being in STEM is more about how you think about things, and not necessarily about skills in those areas."