On International Girls in ICT Day, Nicoli Streșnă Inspires Students to Explore STEAM Education

On International Girls in ICT Day, students from the "Boris Dînga" Theoretical High School in Criuleni participated in an interactive STEAM lesson led by Nicoli Streșnă, UNICEF Youth Advocate and mentor in the "STEAM on Wheels" program.

We are the first generation to live in a world shaped by algorithms, neural networks, and biotechnology. And perhaps, one of the last generations that can still decide who shapes the world of tomorrow.

In this era of accelerated technologies, choosing a path in STEAM — science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics — is no longer just a personal option; it is an act of participation in the construction of reality.

For girls, the stakes are even higher because technologies are not neutral. They bear the imprint of those who create them. Algorithms can replicate biases. Personalized medicine may exclude certain groups. Smart cities can be built without considering the safety and needs of everyone.

If girls are not there, if their voices are absent from the rooms where code is written or innovation policies are formed, then the coming world will once again be one built without them. Choosing STEAM means stepping into the room where the future is shaped.

Nicoli Streșnă is one of the girls who is already there. At just 13 years old, she became a STEAM mentor, and since then, she has reached every district of the country, inspiring hundreds of children to explore science, technology, and innovation.

"I believe many girls still hesitate to get involved in STEAM projects because of stereotypes. I encourage all of them to have the courage to try – every step we take contributes to breaking the misconception that this field is only for boys. I was around 11 years old when I participated, along with my sister, in an IT camp. There, I flew my first drone – a moment that motivated me greatly. I often heard comments like 'You’re a girl, what are you doing in IT?' This, despite the fact that the first line of code in the world was written by a woman – a mathematician and poet named Ada Lovelace. We live in a world full of opportunities – it would be a shame for prejudice to stop us from seizing them," shared Nicoli Streșnă, UNICEF Youth Advocate, during the lesson.

The "Boris Dînga" Theoretical High School is part of the Network of Model Schools and is included in the "Promoting Quality Education and Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All" Program. Along with nine other institutions, the high school is set to undergo renovation and will be equipped with modern teaching materials, which will support the integration of the STEAM approach into the educational process.

The program is financially supported by the European Union and is implemented by UNICEF and UNDP, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Research, from 2024 to 2027.

"We always try to involve girls in STEAM-related activities. In the meantime, we have learned how to correctly develop STEAM projects, and at the school science competitions and olympiads, we actively promote the participation of girls, not just boys. This year, a student from our school won second place at the district stage and will also participate in the Republican Olympiad – we are very proud of her.
I believe that in the future, the digital component will be integrated into all professions, and girls excel in this field – they possess both logical thinking and creativity," said Olga Rotari, biology teacher and STEAM coordinator, at "Boris Dînga" Theoretical High School.

"Today's lesson was a very inspirational experience for me. I learned new things, worked practically, and saw how ideas can come to life with the help of technology. I am convinced that the IT field is not just for boys – girls can succeed too, they have good ideas, creativity, and can bring about change. I don't yet know what career I will choose, but I am sure that I want to follow a path that combines innovation, technology, and my desire to contribute to something useful for people," said Daria, an 8th-grade student at "Boris Dînga" Theoretical High School.

In the Republic of Moldova, women and girls occupy only 31% of the jobs in the information technology sector, according to a study published by the National Bureau of Statistics. Moreover, only 4.6% of girls pursuing higher education choose a profile in the STEM field. This reality is also reflected in the labor market: women tend to occupy positions that require a lower level of qualification and, consequently, are paid less. In the information and communications technology sector, women's salaries are 33% lower than men's.

"At school, together with my classmates, we created a robotics team – it's called Vector. Even though we don't have all the necessary equipment, we make do with what we have and try to participate in as many activities and competitions as possible. For me, these projects mean more than just learning something new – it's about teamwork, creativity, and the confidence that girls can also do important things in technology," said Marta, an 8th-grade student at "Boris Dînga" Theoretical High School.

About the International Girls in ICT Day:

International Girls in ICT Day is celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday of April, aiming to encourage girls and young women to explore opportunities in the fields of information and communication technology (ICT). The initiative is globally supported by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and aims to reduce the gender gap in the tech sector, combat stereotypes, and inspire girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM). Through activities, workshops, and events, this day highlights successful female role models and promotes equal access to digital education and innovation.

About “STEAM on Wheels”:

“STEAM on Wheels” is the first mobile educational laboratory in the Republic of Moldova, equipped with robotics kits and laptops, which organizes workshops in schools across the country, including rural communities and refugee centers. The project is implemented by TEKEDU, with the support of UNICEF and other development partners, and offers young people the opportunity to learn through practice and develop their digital skills.

About the “Promoting Quality Education and Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All” Program:

The “Promoting Quality Education and Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All” program, funded by the European Union, is implemented by UNICEF and UNDP in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Research from 2024 to 2027.

Main objectives of the program:

- Improving curricula for students, as well as the professional development system for teachers and school managers, to enhance the quality of education and teaching;

- Ensuring a modern learning environment by renovating the infrastructure of general education institutions and facilitating the development of STEAM skills;

- Improving access to education for all children, including those with special educational needs, by developing an inclusive, digital, and resilient education system.