USask’s Diefenbaker Canada Centre celebrates achievements of women in STEM

SASKATOON – A new exhibition at the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Diefenbaker Canada Centre (DCC) will showcase the crucial role of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 

Iron Willed: Women in STEM, developed by Ingenium – Canada’s Museums of Science and Innovation, will feature stories of women who have made important contributions to advancing science, technology and innovation. It includes inspirational figures such as Donna Strickland, Jocelyn Bell Burnell, and Melissa Sariffodeen. 

“Worldwide, women make up only 28.4 per cent of scientific researchers,” said President and CEO of Ingenium, Christina Tessier. “Through the Women in STEM initiative and travelling display, Ingenium hopes to make women in STEM more visible, to promote careers for women in STEM, and to celebrate achievements and advocates.” 

The exhibition is designed to engage, advance, inspire, and support young women in STEM and increase the profile and participation of women in STEM careers. By profiling women global leaders, the travelling display will also acknowledge the structural and cultural barriers that contribute to gender biases and the underrepresentation of women in STEM. 

“Throughout history, there are many examples of women across sectors—like Violet McNaughton, women’s suffrage advocate, and Ellen Fairclough, Canada’s first female federal minister—who have had to confront bias, challenge injustices and advocate for change,” said DCC Director Alastair MacFadden. “This exhibit celebrates groundbreaking STEM discoveries made by women while confronting obstacles that continue to affect the participation, inclusion and recognition of women in STEM fields.” 

Iron Willed: Women in STEM is set to open on June 3 and will run through August 28, 2022. For more information, please visit: https://diefenbaker.usask.ca

-30-

For more information, contact:

Philippe Tremblay
Ingenium – Canada’s Museums of Science and Innovation 
343-543-5337
ptremblay@ingeniumcanada.org

Victoria Dinh
USask Media Relations
306-966-5487
victoria.dinh@usask.ca

About Ingenium – Canada’s Museums of Science and Innovation
Ingenium celebrates the innovative spirit of Canadians by telling the stories of those who dared to think differently. Inspired by the power of ingenuity, Ingenium encompasses three national institutions: the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, and the Canada Science and Technology Museum. These three museums are places where the past meets the future, with spaces where visitors can learn and explore, play and discover. Ingenium continues to evolve — the brand new Ingenium Centre houses Canada’s science and technology collection, a research institute, and a digital innovation lab, all designed to protect priceless Canadian heritage artifacts for the benefit of many generations to come. Beyond the physical walls of its museums, Ingenium’s engaging digital content, outreach programs and travelling exhibitions serve to educate, entertain, and engage audiences across Canada and around the world.

About the Diefenbaker Canada Centre
The Diefenbaker Canada Centre (DCC)is unique because of both its location on the University of Saskatchewan (USask) campus and its appeal to a diverse audience of all ages and identities. In addition to preserving and interpreting the core collection of personal artifacts bequeathed by Mr. Diefenbaker, the DCC proudly hosts a wide variety of exhibits designed to appeal to audiences of all ages. With affordable admission and programming, and guided tours, the DCC creates a welcoming and accessible environment, that bridges the gap between USask and the greater Saskatoon community. Education, learning and discovery are foremost in all activities and exhibits, encouraging visitors to explore and engage with all that the DCC has to offer.