Partner profile: Love Tech

In our latest Partner Profile, Love Tech tells us about its work connecting people with STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths):

Back in 2017, Love Tech was established by a small group of women business leaders and technologists.

Concerned about the lack of women both entering – and remaining in - the ever-evolving STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) professions, their vision grew from a passion for gender equality in the workplace.

This, coupled with a recognition that when it comes to the traditionally male dominated STEM occupations, girls thrive when they have positive female role models to help them stay engaged.

Fast forward to today, and Love Tech boasts a proactive, 13-strong committee, 22 mentors and 26 volunteers. In the last two years alone, the charity has met around 5,500 local primary aged children, spearheaded 50+ activities, partnered with five like-minded organisations and distributed 400+ free STEM books for children.

The Love Tech Committee

'Many thanks for supporting Marown School… your input generated a “buzz” with the children and they couldn’t wait to read and share your books!' read one thank you letter.

In addition to this, our online resources – from a robust social media presence to our ever-evolving website, complete with inspirational ‘Women in STEM’ videos from local STEM superstars, are all enabling the charity to promote our Island as a valuable place to pursue these professions.

Focusing on sustainable development in this way plays a vital role in how Love Tech is working to meet its Biosphere Partner pledge – and is evident in every event and initiative the charity pursues.

Great examples include our gender equality workshop and Mum Tech projects, both of which focus on inclusivity.

However, providing children with interactive STEM learning platforms where they can also foster a sense of responsibility towards our Island’s precious Biosphere is also high on our agenda.

Giving out STEM-subject books to schools with our patron, Lady Lorimer MBE

Our Wildlife Challenge last Summer, in conjunction with Manx Wildlife Trust and UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man, did just this. Here, families were encouraged to engage with some of our Island’s most stunning natural habitats, then use tech to create their own pledges to protect them.

Our Summer Open Day echoed this theme, with each child receiving their own litter picker, further instilling a sense of responsibility and stewardship in our younger generation.

In the autumn, we were delighted to win the Media Isle of Man Award for Excellence in education and Learning Initiatives.

Next steps for the charity are exciting. We’ve recently received funding from PwC Isle of Man for our brand-new flagship project, STEM Spark. This initiative is a development of our earlier STEM books in primary schools’ project, this time with stream-lined, easy access school liaison via our website, more free books for schools, plus Mentor workshop opportunities.

We are partnering UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man and others for the new Young Nature Champion 2024 competition.

Coding in schools will also be taking priority thanks to funding from the Elizabeth Clucas Trust. We’re busy evolving our mentor scheme to make it bigger and better too, plus, of course, events aplenty.

If you're a woman in STEM in the Isle of Man and would love to get involved in our mentor programme, drop us an email via contact@lovetech.im

Wishing you all a STEM-tastic day, signing off as Love Tech Ltd., IOM registered charity no 1293.