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Irish STEM charity Teen-Turn has been shortlisted in Nature Research’s 2020 Inspiring & Innovating Science Awards.
Irish charity Teen-Turn, which encourages girls from under-represented backgrounds to get involved in STEM, has been shortlisted for Nature Research’s 2020 Inspiring & Innovating Science Awards in the area of scientific outreach.
The awards, in partnership with the Estée Lauder Companies, aim to support and celebrate the achievements of women in science and organisations that encourage girls and young women to explore STEM.
Through free after-school activities, summer work placements, exam support and professional development, Teen-Turn’s goal is to give teenage girls the chance to get hands-on STEM experience and the support to achieve qualifications and jobs in the sector. It prioritises students from DEIS and other traditionally underrepresented schools.
The organisation is led by co-founders Joanne Dolan, a consultant and project manager, and Niambh Scullion of Watson Health IBM, CoderDojo Girls and more. It was founded in 2016 and since then has helped more than 600 girls get involved in conversations around career paths in STEM. Since the Covid-19 pandemic began and Government restrictions were introduced in Ireland, the organisation has pivoted online to continue working.
Teen-Turn was previously named Digital Impact Organisation of the Year at the 2017 European Ada Awards, and has received numerous grants including the 2019 Google Impact Challenge grant and the 2020 MSD Neighbour of Choice grant.
A panel of Nature Research editors, independent experts and representatives from the Estée Lauder Companies will judge the shortlisted candidates and vote on a winner in October 2020. The winning individuals and organisations will receive a grant of $30,000 to spend on initiatives linked to the award, a grant of up to $5,200 to spend on an event in the next two years that showcases the initiative and mentorship from Estée Lauder, among other prizes.
Disclosure: Silicon Republic CEO and co-founder Ann O’Dea is on the advisory board of Teen-Turn.
