DCB Hosts the Launch of Girls in STEMM Initiative

The future of innovation begins with bold ideas—and the courage to pursue them. On Thursday, 24 October, Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) had the privilege of hosting the launch of this year's Girls in STEMM initiative by the Women Empowerment Council. The Women Empowerment Council (WEC) is a network of leaders and decision-makers dedicated to advancing gender equality in businesses and communities across China.  

Girls in STEMM is designed to empower and encourage young women to take up space and make meaningful contributions in traditionally male-dominated STEMM fields. DCB has proudly supported this program since its inception, and this year we are excited to have 10 talented young women from Years 9 to 13 on this exciting journey of learning and growth. At the launch event, we welcomed 30 girls from various international schools across Beijing, who participated in a day filled with learning, collaboration, and inspiration. 

The event kicked off with an introduction to the importance of the Girls in STEMM program, followed by fun ice-breaker activities that allowed the students to get to know each other. One of the highlights of the day was a series of insightful discussions centered around the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), prompting the girls to think critically about how they can use STEMM to make a difference. Of course, the afternoon wouldn’t have been complete without some delicious treats and Girls in STEMM goodie bags! 

The initiative continues throughout the academic year with five company visits, where participants will engage with industry leaders, explore workplaces, and participate in workshops, presentations, and lab tours, and conclude with the students’ reflections.

Kicking off the series of trips was an inspiring visit to global tech leader, Microsoft.

Girls in STEMM Visit Microsoft: Exploring the Future of Technology 

On Thursday, 31 October, the Girls in STEMM group from Dulwich College Beijing had the privilege of visiting Microsoft’s offices and immersed themselves in the cutting-edge world of technology and innovation. This experience provided a unique look into the latest advancements shaping the future of STEMM fields. 

The day began with a showcase of exciting projects, including OpenAI's ChatGPT, CPU updates, and mixed-reality applications that bridge the real and virtual worlds. The girls also explored the metaverse and Microsoft’s innovative use of CoPilot tools, which demonstrate the potential of AI in making everyday tasks easier. 

During their tour, the students interacted with Azure OpenAI, where they generated text responses, created images, and explored the fascinating potential of AI-driven animations. While powerful, the system highlighted challenges around video creation, as the AI is still evolving to understand complex video codes. Yeijeong even put the technology to the test, generating an image based on DCB’s address!  

The students also explored machine voice translation, a voice-generative AI that can replicate someone’s voice and even translate it into other languages. This technology underscores the rapid evolution of communication tools and the possibilities for language inclusivity.  

A highlight of the visit was the Panoramic Room, where the girls saw Microsoft’s sustainability initiatives brought to life, as well as the Interactive AI sessions in molecular science, chemistry, and biology. They also delved into the world of quantum mechanics and its potential for driving future technological breakthroughs.  

One of the most inspiring segments was SHEros, where they saw the impactful work of women thriving in technology and science fields. This initiative encourages women worldwide to break barriers in STEMM, reinforcing that a strong community of women can indeed reshape these industries. 

To wrap up the visit, the girls engaged with recent graduates and Microsoft interns, asking questions and gaining insights into their journeys into the tech world. 

We are incredibly proud of these girls for stepping into a field traditionally dominated by males. Their ambition, courage, and enthusiasm are exactly what we need to change the future. We are excited to watch their journeys unfold as they make their mark on the world of STEMM.  

A heartfelt thank you to Ms Sharon Shi, our Head of Math, for continuing this initiative which allowed for this visit, and for empowering our students with this invaluable experience at DCB.