What happened in October?

A word from Mahsa…

Kia ora <<First Name>>

We’re in the last leg of 2023 — can you believe it? It has been a busy year for She Sharp, and October was no different. This month, we hosted our first ever conference for young Māori and Pasifika women in Years 11-13: INSPIRE HER: TE WHAKATIPURANGA WAHINE and it was a huge success! 🥳

With over 100 students attending, the students gathered at the AUT South Campus in Manukau. There, they gained invaluable insights from our incredible keynote speakers who shared inspiring and motivating stories for the girls. 💭

Hands-on workshops allowed the students to see electrical engineering, augmented reality, robotics, virtual reality and more in action! 🤖 We were also lucky to have industry representatives from Fonterra, MYOB and others who showed the girls the careers they could pursue in the future. 👩‍🔬

We extend our gratitude to AUT School of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences for generously providing full scholarships for three students to pursue any engineering major! 🎓 This really helps turn a fun day of learning into tangible opportunities for these young women to break down barriers in STEM. 🫂

💡Learn more about AUT’s scholarships here.

A big shoutout to our sponsors, including AUT, Google, Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board, and Whau Local Board, for making this event possible! 💜

The energy and excitement of the day reinforced the profound impact of our mission to create a more diverse STEM community.

This is just the beginning! ✨

Ngā mihi nui

Mahsa McCauley
Founder and Chair
She Sharp Charitable Trust

Coming Up: Technological Change - Workplace & Workforce Impacts

Hosted in collaboration with HCLTech, our VERY FIRST event in Hamilton explores how fast the workforce is changing due to technology and what we can do about it. Join us as we host experts from the government and tech sectors as they share their diverse perspectives.

Get tickets!

Coming Up: Google Educator Conference 2023

(Formerly known as CS4HS)

She Sharp, alongside Google, is hosting an action-packed day for digital technology teachers. With expert workshops and panels, come learn about engaging ways of delivering STEM in New Zealand classrooms.

Get tickets!

Our events in October…

Inspire HER: Te Whakatipuranga Wahine

At our recent get-together at AUT South Campus, we hosted an event that was as informative as it was fun! Our line-up of speakers dove deep into AI, VR, and all things tech. She Sharp is all about breaking down barriers in STEM while celebrating diversity.

Check out the photos here!

Member Highlight: Sara Ghafoor

Our October newsletter highlights another one of our fantastic ambassadors, Sara. As a secretary for She Sharp, Sara’s illustrious background spans all the way back to her homeland of Pakistan.

With a Bachelor of Electrical Computer Engineering, Sara saw the gender gap firsthand when studying and believes an innovative future in tech comes from real diversity. Sara’s passionate about using AI for the greater good, studying a Master of Computer and Information Science at Auckland University of Technology.

Sara’s secret for navigating tech? Being open-minded and having an insatiable curiosity. Check out more of her great work below!

Check out Sara’s LinkedIn

“AI is my brush, enabling me to craft a tapestry of innovation, creativity and a brighter future”.

She Sharp Bytes: InspireHER

In this captivating podcast, Brittany Teei, a Māori and Pacific entrepreneur and tech innovator, shared her remarkable journey. From professional tennis to founding KidsCoin and 3BagsFull, Brittany's story inspires us to pursue our dreams and make a lasting impact in our communities and the world of STEM. Join the conversation and ignite your own path to positive change! 🚀🌟

Listen Here

Industry Gossip…

This month, we’ve found some excellent picks on intersectionality in tech:

Identity, Intersectionality, and Representation in the Digital Space: True authenticity comes from unity and equal representation. Jasmine Le, a Vietnamese American digital influencer, underscores the value of diversity and representation online. Through her content, she champions body positivity and mental well-being, offering inspiration for women in STEM to embrace their individuality and promote inclusivity.
Intersectionality will save the future of science: Shawntel Okonkwo, a first-generation Nigerian-American and Ph.D. Candidate in Molecular Biology at UCLA, emphasises the importance of recognising discrimination in science and technology and the need for inclusive participation.