On Saturday, November 21st 1998, ANSWERS (the Association of Nova Scotia Women for Education and Research in Science)  hosted a day long workshop on strategies to increase the retention of women in STEM in Nova Scotia, improve the STEM workplace, and help participants to reach their full potential at work. The workshop was held at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth.

The keynote addresses framed the themes and introduced the discussions. Dr. Lillian Dyck, a professor in Neuropsychiatry at the University of Saskatchewan, spoke on different stages on the path to equity in STEM workplaces. Dr. Mary Williams talk outlined a strategy of positive actions on the themes of Leadership, Excitement, and New Traditions. Seventy-five participants then divided into small groups to discuss applications of the strategy or to focus on skills necessary to balance work and family demands.

The workshop identified areas which require work in order to support women's participation in STEM, generated energizing discussions, and provided networking opportunities for participants. Some of the focus areas are: mentoring structures, accessible information on participation rates, and recognition for contributions of scientists to society. The results of the workshop will be provided to participants in the form of a priority and opportunity list of projects, and more detailed plans of participating groups. Congratulations to the ANSWERS organizers for a productive event.

The workshop was sponsored by:

• ANSWERS 
• Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women 
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada 
• National Research Council 
• Atomic Energy of Canada Limited 
• Academics and Research, Dalhousie University 
• Human Resources and Development Canada 
• Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia 
• Acadia Universiy, Biology Department 
• Saint Mary's University 
• Nova Scotia Institute of Science 
• Public Service Institute of Oceanography 
• Dalhousie Science Society