Girls Go Big: A STEM Adventure | Hands-On Chemistry
- Jun 19, 2025
- 2 min read
Girls Go Big! Empowering Girls in STEM Through Hands-On Chemistry
On June 7, 2025, the “STEM Girls Growth Series - Girls Go Big: A STEM Adventure,” jointly organized by the Taoyuan Department of Women and Children Development and TWiST, officially began at the Taoyuan Women’s Center. The first session welcomed young women aged 15 to 20 for lectures and hands-on experiments, beginning their STEM exploration through chemistry.
The event focused on cultivating women in technology and introducing young people to science. The morning speaker was Fang-Fei Chou, a TWiST board member with a Ph.D. in materials chemistry. In her talk, “The Magician of the Banana Kingdom,” she shared how she overcame gender bias throughout her education and career.
She emphasized: “To challenge gender stereotypes, we need more women to enter STEM and stronger institutional support that allows girls to develop their potential with confidence.” She also introduced TWiST’s gender-equality and STEM education initiatives, encouraging participants to pursue their dreams in technology.
The afternoon session featured two chemistry experiments under the theme “Chemistry and Art: Green Crystals and Cyanotype Printing.” Participants first learned about solubility and crystallization by observing crystal formation. They then created cyanotype artworks combining chemistry and creative expression. Digital materials from the Ministry of Education’s Adaptive Learning Platform supported the activities, connecting scientific theory with practical experience.
Participants said the workshop helped them realize that science is more than formulas and textbooks—it can be seen, touched, and used creatively. One student shared: “After making crystals and cyanotype prints myself, I discovered how interesting chemistry can be. It no longer feels like a difficult subject.”
Tzu-Jung Tu, Director-General of the Department of Women and Children Development, Taoyuan, attended the event and recognized its contribution to STEM education and gender equality. She said the city government would continue providing diverse learning resources and supportive environments for young women to explore science and technology.
The STEM Girls Growth Series covers engineering, technology, mathematics, and interdisciplinary applications. Through talks with women in technology and hands-on activities, the program aims to bring girls closer to science, challenge gender stereotypes, and inspire the next generation of women in STEM.
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