Jewella (Dr. Jenine Beekhuyzen) was invited by the Australian High Commission in New Zealand to head across to Wellington for NZ Tech week.
The aim of NZ Tech Week is described on their website as:
“New Zealand’s technology and innovation sectors are growing rapidly, and Techweek fosters that growth by providing the national ecosystem with a week-long opportunity for connection and cross-pollination, using an independent platform to amplify New Zealand’s unique and inspiring innovation stories to the world.”
Dr. Beekhuyzen hosted a 2-hour hands-on STEM Entrepreneurship workshop for 60 face-to-face participants, plus another 600 students tuned in online. Our podcast will be available on our social media soon!
The highlight of the event was a panel discussion (which was live streamed on Facebook) with Jewella, Aliesha Staples (Founder of Staples VR) and Lena Scanlan (Visual Effects Producer at Weta Digital) to showcase our innovative Search for the Next Tech Girl Superhero program.
Some memorable quotes from the panel discussion were:
“We need to talk more, we need to network more and promote each other’s work!” – Aliesha Staples
“Attitude and putting yourself in the right place at the right time is huge” – Aliesha Staples on getting girls ready for a career in tech.
“We need to tech girls to be confident, to believe that they deserve everything that the boys get.” – Dr. Jenine Beekhuyzen
“We need to learn how to fail.” – Dr. Jenine Beekhuyzen on how we need to break the technology
“Call people out on their behaviour. Tech can be very male dominated. Make everyone feel like the have a voice.” – Lena Scanlan
“Everyone is making it up so you just have to give it a go.” – Dr. Jenine Beekheyzen
You can watch the panel discussion the Facebook page of the Australian High Commission in Wellington.