“Life is an unfoldment, and the further we travel the more truth we can comprehend. To understand the things that are at our door is the best preparation to understanding those that lie beyond” - Hypatia.

Hypatia was a mathematician, astronomer and philosopher, born in Greece around AD 350-415. Her persona and way of thinking inspires this new Horizon 2020 project.

Research shows that the way sciences are communicated to young people is not gender inclusive. What's more, young Europeans, both boys and girls, still have very little understanding of the diversity of careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and the skills that are relevant for those paths. These two factors have a significant influence on the number of girls who choose science-related studies and careers.

The Hypatia project engaged with 13-18 year old girls both in and out of the school environment. To do this, Hypatia brought together science centres and museums, schools, research institutions and industry with gender experts and teenagers themselves. Toolkits were developed for each of them, ensuring that everyone can be empowered to organise and create gender inclusive activities, programmes and events.

We have also spread the word (and the tools produced through the project) by promoting seminars across Europe.

10 partners, coordinated by the Nemo Science Centre in the Netherlands, and 9 Third Parties were involved in this project. Ecsite was in charge of dissemination activities. Together, the partners form 14 Hubs throughout Europe, with the mission of reaching diverse audiences and fulfilling our most important goal: getting girls' minds and hearts tuned in to science. This is one of the fundamental building blocks of a society in constant progress, development and change.

The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 665566