The Czech Republic belongs to the countries with the lowest amount of women employed in technical and ICT branches in Europe. Project Cherchez la femme supports equal position of men and women on the labor market. The purpose of the project is to heighten women’s interest in studying technical branches. It’s happening through activities for students of elementary and grammar schools. Girls can participate in debates with successful women, excursion to the corporations and exemplary days at technical faculties of West-Bohemian University.
Students of OKB, OKA, SPB, SPA, 3. A and 3. B had the possibility to attend a few excursions at the Faculty of Applied Science and Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of West Bohemia. We tried to take photos with professional cameras and learned basic facts how to take a perfect picture with the proper zoom, ISO etc. At the neuro-informatic department of FAS we could drive a car and have our brain’s reaction to whatever happens on the road monitored. We had to get a ball through some obstacles by using our brain and thoughts. With a little help fans some of us managed to make it all the way through. Another exciting excursion was at the Faculty of Cybernetics where we were given robots and by using a computer program we were able to tell the robot what we want him to do. We got to make our own 3D pictures, experience a ride on rollercoaster in a virtual life and hear everything about holograms. We also attended and excursion at Haselmeier s.r.o. in Dnešice where we were able to see how Disposable Pen Injectors are made.
All of the excursions were very interesting and they have given us a great view of what to expect on a faculty focused on technical branches. Out of many things it has taught us that studying a technical branch is not something a woman should be afraid of, women at those kinds of faculties are not treated anyhow different than men and it has definitely destroyed the idea of women not being able to succeed in electrical engineering, cybernetics or any branch they choose to study. Professors at West-Bohemian University have given a direction to our clouded and indecisive minds of where to go to university and we owe them and a huge thank you as well as to the Czech Chamber of Commerce and the Norway funds for financing this exciting project.
I am very happy that I have taken part in this project and now I believe that women can do EVERYTHING!
Tereza Thotová, oktáva B
