Connecting Middle and High School Students with STEM Role Models Before Choosing Academic Tracks: 'STEM Week' Opens Applications for Schools Nationwide

The Yamada Shintaro D&I Foundation (hereinafter, the Foundation) will hold 'STEM Week' from October 12 to 26, 2026, in conjunction with International Day of the Girl (October 11). The initiative will send professional women working in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields to middle and high schools across Japan for outreach lectures. Applications are now open for schools interested in participating.

STEM Week is a program in which professional women visit schools or speak online to share their experiences with academic and career choices, university studies, and their current jobs. As part of the Foundation’s 'Girls Meet STEM' program—an experiential tour initiative for female middle and high school students—the goal is to broaden students’ exposure to role models who have pursued careers in STEM fields. Applications are currently being accepted, with the official deadline set for July 31, 2026 (Friday).

Inquiry form: https://r8gla.share.hsforms.com/2KrT2Tlw9RhO2uxv8yebudA

In Japanese high schools, most students choose between science and humanities tracks in their first year. However, students often lack opportunities to learn what STEM education and careers actually entail before making this decision. According to joint research by the Foundation, Keio University, and Kochi University of Technology, only about 4.4%*1 of female students express interest in STEM fields upon entering high school.

STEM Week aims to bridge this gap by connecting middle and high school students with professional women in STEM fields before they make their academic choices, encouraging them to consider STEM as a viable path.

Lecturers for STEM Week are women in their 20s and 30s working in STEM fields. The Foundation will match schools with speakers based on schedules and preferences. Speakers include system engineers, data scientists, AI researchers, materials and product developers, production technologists, quality assurance specialists, and regenerative medicine researchers from IT companies, manufacturers, and research institutions.

The Foundation plans to expand STEM Week to more schools nationwide, creating more opportunities for students to view STEM as a potential career path.

*1: Yamada Shintaro D&I Foundation, 'Project 0.91%' Report (March 2026)

Implementation Process

The process from inquiry to event is as follows:

- Schools submit an inquiry via the designated form - The Foundation conducts a consultation, followed by formal application - The Foundation matches the school with a speaker (results communicated promptly) - The school and speaker finalize the date, time, and format - On the day of the event, the speaker delivers the lecture in person or online

Program Overview

- Target: Middle and high schools nationwide (female students from grades 7–12) - Note: Male students may participate depending on class or grade-level arrangements - Group size: Flexible based on school needs - Content: Outreach lectures by professional women in STEM fields discussing academic choices, exams, university studies, and current careers. Speakers come from diverse sectors including IT engineering, data science, R&D and production technology at manufacturing firms, and research in regenerative medicine and food science - Format: In-person or online - Duration: Approximately 1–2 hours per session - Period: October 12 (Mon) to October 26 (Mon), 2026 (out-of-period events negotiable) - Cost: No cost to schools - Application deadline: July 31, 2026 (Friday) - Matching notification: Ongoing - Inquiry form: https://r8gla.share.hsforms.com/2KrT2Tlw9RhO2uxv8yebudA

About 'Girls Meet STEM'

'Girls Meet STEM' is an experiential tour program for female middle and high school students, organized by the Foundation in collaboration with technical colleges, universities, companies, and research institutions. Students visit campuses, labs, and corporate offices to experience real-world STEM environments and interact with female university students, graduate students, and professionals, expanding their perspectives on academic and career paths.

'Girls Meet STEM' official website: https://gms.shinfdn.org/

About the Yamada Shintaro D&I Foundation

Established in July 2021 by Shintaro Yamada, CEO of Mercari, the Yamada Shintaro D&I Foundation is a public interest foundation dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusion (D&I) to create a society where everyone can thrive and utilize their abilities.

The Foundation focuses particularly on closing the gender gap in STEM fields and supports initiatives that encourage female middle and high school students to pursue education and careers in STEM.

- President and Representative Director: Shintaro Yamada (CEO, Mercari Inc.) - Founded: July 1, 2021 (Thursday) - Official website: https://shinfdn.org/

General inquiries:

Yamada Shintaro D&I Foundation Office

Email: info@shinfdn.org