The Privilege STEMWalk

Privileges at the starting line! An interactive exercise to visually realize and become aware of one’s privileges and/or difficulties in walking the STEM career 🙂

This exercise is conceived as to acknowledge that not everyone is facing their growth and career in STEM starting from the same point, exploring concepts from the socio-economic sphere, as much as gender-based.

Is can be both, a physical exercise or a digital one - if used as ice-breaking or awareness activity during e-learning modules. It also varies on the basis of the space / room available.

All the class students or participants will stand in a horizontal line in the middle of the room, keeping their eyes closed until the end of the exercise - this expedient will help neutralise external constraints or comparison with peers. As the teacher / facilitator reads a statement, the participant will step forward or step back if it applies to them.

At the end of the game, the teacher / facilitator will ask the participants to open their eyes and will conduct a debate on gender and other privileges, considering the participants’ final standing positions.