Why STEM Events Matter More Than You Think
Have you ever gone to a school talk, workshop or science event and thought, “That was actually pretty inspiring”? According to research from ETH Zurich’s KOF Swiss Economic Institute, those experiences might shape your future more than you realise.
A recent study found that students who attend STEM events are more likely to later choose a STEM degree, especially when the events include female experts and role models.
For girls aged 14–18 who are deciding what subjects to study, this is a powerful reminder: seeing someone who looks like you succeeding in science, technology, engineering or maths can genuinely change what feels possible.
So, what did the research discover?
Researchers at ETH Zurich analysed 183 STEM events held at Swiss secondary schools between 2004 and 2019. They matched this with education data from more than 350,000 students to see whether attending these events influenced future university choices.
The result? Students who attended a STEM event during their final school year were more likely to go on to study a STEM subject at university. They were also more likely to complete a STEM bachelor’s degree later on.
That matters because women are still underrepresented in many technical fields. In Switzerland, women make up only around 35% of STEM students, and in computer science the number is even lower.
Why female role models make a difference
One of the most interesting findings from the study was that events with more female speakers had an even stronger impact.
And it wasn’t only girls who responded positively — boys did too.
Researchers found that female STEM experts often presented topics differently. Their talks were more likely to connect STEM to everyday life, creativity and collaboration, making technical subjects feel more relatable and accessible.
That’s important because many girls don’t avoid STEM because they “aren’t good at it.” Often, they simply haven’t seen enough examples of what STEM careers can actually look like — or how broad and creative they really are.
STEM is not just coding and equations
When people hear “STEM,” they often imagine complicated maths or sitting alone writing code. But STEM careers include designing sustainable cities, creating medical technology, solving climate problems, developing apps, building robots, researching diseases, and even working in fashion technology or game design.
Events that expose students to these possibilities can completely shift perspectives.
ETH Zurich itself runs several programmes designed to encourage young people — especially girls — to explore STEM subjects through workshops, talks and hands-on activities.
The confidence gap is real — but it can change
Many teenage girls underestimate their abilities in maths and science, even when they perform just as well as boys. Studies like this show that encouragement and representation matter.
Sometimes, all it takes is:
hearing a female engineer speak about her job,
meeting a scientist who loves creativity,
trying a robotics workshop,
or realising there are many different paths into STEM.
Those experiences can help students picture themselves in spaces they may never have considered before.
What this means for you
You do not need to have your whole future figured out at 16 or 17. But staying curious matters.
If your school offers a STEM event, workshop or mentoring session, it may be worth going — even if you’re unsure whether science or technology is “your thing.” You might discover interests or strengths you didn’t know you had.
And if you already love STEM? Your passion belongs there too.
The research from ETH Zurich shows something simple but important: exposure changes possibilities. When girls see more women in STEM, technical careers stop feeling distant — and start feeling achievable.
