The women who paved the way in STEAM

Women have always been part of what we now consider STEAM. Some of the most impactful scientific discoveries in history were made by, or in collaboration with, women whose names many of us do not recognise. Throughout the years, women in STEAM have been overlooked or erased. Oftentimes their discoveries were made with men scientists who were lauded for these breakthroughs without mention of the women. 

This is just the story of one of these women. We encourage you to find more women who have shaped the world and whose name history forgot.

Lise Meitner, born in 1878, was the second woman after Marie Curie (renowned for her work in radioactivity) to become Doctor of Physics from the University of Vienna. She moved to Berlin to pursue her aspirations in experimental physics. Here she started to collaborate with Otto Hahn. 

While her colleague earned a wage she was only allowed to earn a wage as the first woman assistant in Prussia, even if this was the lowest-ranking position in scientific hierarchy. 

She then became a professor of Experimental Nuclear Physics at the University of Berlin, the first female professor of Physics in Germany. Among other discoveries, she was the reason for the discovery of nuclear fission, for which Hahn was awarded a Nobel Prize in 1944. 

Meitner was not mentioned by Hahn in his work or recognized for her role in this finding until many years later. 

Young girls and women have always been central to the development and improvement of our world, and they will continue to advance and discover. Let’s make sure that all women feel welcome in STEAM and their work is recognised and valued.