Geolocation app for field workers. AI tool to support visually impaired photographers. Multifunction printer with mix-and-match attachments. Lightweight, magnetic all-purpose wireless charger. A home dental imaging wand with AI-powered diagnostic app. Extra stabilising camera mount for motion shots.
You might be asking what all these things have in common. Or, very likely, you thought “that’s cool, I wonder where I could get one?” Unfortunately, we can’t answer that right now, as these were all ideas presented by girls, young women and non-binary youngsters aged six to seventeen during an Innovation Challenge hosted at our London headquarters, in collaboration with social enterprise Stemettes.
Stemettes founder, Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, had to crouch to hand the youngest their microphones so they could talk about their ideas. But regardless of size, everyone presenting had huge confidence, enthusiasm and – crucially – creativity. Because this was a day designed to embrace the A in STE(A)M by asking young people to apply art and design thinking to a STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) challenge.
This recognises the vital role that an artistic mindset plays in innovation and problem-solving, collaboration and experimentation. The day was designed around the questions “What might Canon products look like in the future?” and “How can they help people to work smarter?” And such questions can only be answered through free flowing, out-of-the-box, creative thinking. “All of these things contribute to a better world,” explains Anne-Marie. “Because it's us solving more problems than we're creating by using a fullness of skills rather than relying on a small subset,” And when you combine this approach with that of Stemettes, which focuses on proportional representation of all genders across the STE(A)M workforce, it is a powerful driver for the future.
Stemettes founder, Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, has become a role model and inspiration for young people in STE(A)M.
But it’s not simply a case of gathering young people in a room and letting their brilliant brains do the rest (although this, of course, plays a significant part in the day’s activities). Equally, Stemettes don’t have a group of adults deciding what their participants need. “We're very much youth-centred,” explains Yasmin Lodhi, Stemettes Chief Operating Officer. “We don't build anything or design any programmes which haven't been requested by young people.” Informing everything they do are two youth boards, aged from 5 to 11 and 13 to 25. “We can also turn to the Stemette Society —an intentionally inclusive and safe online community for young women and non-binary people aged 13 to 25— to ask questions, gain insights, and better understand their needs,” she adds. It’s a formula that has seen them reach over 70,000 young people since the social enterprise was founded in 2013.
For the Canon Innovation Challenge, the participants, in groups of up to four, could choose to develop a web or app-based solution and learn to use AppShed or AppInventor to bring their idea to life. Or they could head down the 3D drawing route and realise their product or innovation using a programme called TinkerCAD. All apps gave the teams a way to visualise their ideas, both for their own development process and in a showcase session for their Canon judging panel. Which is another important part of the Stemettes experience – “to create new STEM knowledge to make products and designs, but then being able to communicate problems,” Anne-Marie explains.
Because having big ideas or seeking answers is one thing, but as too many women and non-binary people in STE(A)M will report, taking that step forward and confidently communicating what you know can be as hard a skill to learn as any. “The volunteers from Canon’s Women in Business [and allies] Network really helped,” says Yasmin. “Because they were with the young people the whole time, engaging with them and fostering creativity, but also self-belief.”
Having a wide range of people and ages in the room is essential to this. Opening eyes, hearts and minds to the capabilities of people they may not meet in everyday life. For example, the very youngest in the room showed incredible creativity, looking at the world in a way that connected the seemingly unconnected with ease, with a natural sense of exploration we could all learn from. “Their curiosity is something that needs to be seen as a superpower,” says Yasmin. “And the beauty of non-traditional education within STEAM is that you can harness that creativity, and they can play with whatever they want, break something, rebuild it. But starting as young as five is really important because it opens their eyes to what they can be, and that will last the rest of their journey.”
Sharing the room also means that the older Stemettes (as well as parents, guardians and volunteers!) can be reminded of, and inspired by, this kind of boundaryless atmosphere, where nothing is off the table and every kind of fresh idea is welcomed. And for Gen Z and Gen Alpha, in whom Yasmin has identified a real sense of entrepreneurial spirit, this is where big future ideas lie. “They have the power of their phone in their hand, and they know what they can do with social media. So, [entrepreneurship] it's sort of innate within them. Then it's just about making sure that they understand how to actually get an idea into fruition.”
Together, the goal for Canon and Stemettes is the same: to open the door to the world of STE(A)M for everyone, and in turn create a fairer working world which brings new ideas to life that benefit and serve society. Conceptually, it’s noble and exciting, but watching it play out in a room full of young people is actually thrilling for all involved – but especially the young Stemettes, as Ren, aged 16, explains.
“It's nice to know that there are women and non-binary people who enjoy STEAM out there – and especially in one place. It’s honestly magical.”
Learn more about Stemettes.