A record 152 students and staff supported the second Flinders University White Coat Challenge today to celebrate women in STEM on International Women’s Day.

Organisers thanked supporters for helping to exceed last year’s participation record and confirmed that support for gender equality in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) was very strong at Flinders.

Blackboards set up around the Student Plaza boasted the names of female scientists that had proven to be particularly inspirational for staff and students.

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD), #PressforProgress, saw the ‘STEM: Women Branching Out’ group organise a day of special events at Bedford Park campus, focusing on the presence of women in the mining and resources industries.

Flinders 2017 honourary Doctor of Science Dr Kathy Ehrig, BHP Billiton Principal Geometallurgist at Olympic Dam, led a special science classroom entitled ‘Olympic Dam – STEM from discovery through to final products’.

Dr Ehrig will later today facilitate a panel of more than 10 other female engineers and scientists at Alere Function Centre from 5.00pm-6.00pm. Students can still register to attend this event via CareerHub.

Until 2.00pm today Flinders University Sport and Fitness will also be celebrating International Women’s Day in the Student Hub and will be distributing showbags, sharing advice from Health, Counselling and Disability Services and giving staff and students the opportunity to cuddle and adopt kittens from the RSPCA.