On 10 April 2025, TU Delft welcomed 180 girls aged 13 to 15 from various schools across the region of South Holland as part of the Girls- Day nationwide initiative, organized by VHTO, an organization dedicated to increasing female participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. The aim of this special day is to get them excited about STEM, engineering and IT at a young age. During the visit, the girls gained insights into the study programmes at TU Delft, met inspiring role models and took part in interactive and engaging workshops and events, facilitated by both students and academic staff from five faculties.
Five faculties with one mission
TU Delft participated in Girls- Day for the third time, and this year, we did so with an even stronger presence! The faculties of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS), Technology Policy and Management (TPM), Aerospace Engineering (AE), Mechanical Engineering (ME) and Civil Engineering and Geosciences (CiTG) hosted interactive workshops and events, each welcoming girls from one or two schools with a customized programme aligned to their fields of study.
The programme of the day was designed with care, considering the participantsneeds and interests. Through hands-on activities and practical applications like interacting with robots, discovering mathematics through Lego and creating their own sensor using the graphite in pencils, participants could connect STEM to their own lives, fostering a sense of confidence, competence, and belonging in STEM subjects. By using an Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) lens and an intersectional approach it was ensured that every girl felt supported and empowered.
"Everything was fun. I think maybe the robots were the most fun, but they were also a little bit creepy, because they were so lifelike-, mentioned a participant following the day programme at EEMCS faculty.
The organisation of the activities on TU Delft grounds was also a joint effort. The Communications and Diversity & Inclusion teams from the participating faculties, as organisers, and with support from the Diversity & Inclusion Office, helped make this day a positive experience.
STEM accessible for all
Girls- Day is a unique initiative aimed at challenging stereotypes and encouraging girls to envision themselves in STEM fields. By ensuring strong representation of young female role models, during Girls- Day at TU Delft, we tried to break down barriers that often discourage girls from pursuing STEM, and to inspire them by showing that STEM is for everyone. Looking at the future, we continue monitoring the effects of such initiatives on girls’ study choices and their motivations for pursuing a career in STEM.
