Women in STEM
In a society laden with traditional gender roles, it's unsurprising that many young girls feel deterred from pursuing STEM careers. This isn't always due to deliberate discouragement by educators or parents; oftentimes, it's the subtle absence of support and encouragement that creates this disparity.
Nurturing a child's inquisitiveness about their surroundings can make all the difference. Providing answers to their queries can be instrumental in kindling their passions. Dismissing questions like "Why is the sky blue?" or "How are clouds formed?" with a mere "I don't know" can inadvertently suggest that such questions aren't worth pursuing. However, with dedication, both parents and educators can satiate these curiosities, fostering collective learning and enthusiasm.
While the presence of women in STEM is gradually increasing, a significant gap persists. A mere 29% of STEM roles are occupied by women, as stated by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Contrary to the notion that the issue is improving, current figures indicate otherwise. A 2022 study by Junior Achievement reveals that just 9% of female high school graduates express interest in STEM fields. Remarkably, this interest shoots up to 38% among 9-year-olds, as reported by TrueChild.org, only to diminish as they age.
A personal example comes from my own college career. At the community college I attended, the advisor tried to convince me to change my major to education (to become a teacher) rather than environment engineering. She was convinced that because I was already a mother, the engineering route would be too long and difficult.
Thankfully, there was a Women in STEM club that provided me all the encouragement I needed. Seeing other students in the same or similar majors was inspiring. Eventually I was able to complete my bachelors degree in environmental science and then get a second degree in Information Technology. Without the support of my family and the STEM club, it would not have been possible.
Organizations like the Girl Scouts of America are proactively working to address this by introducing STEM-focused initiatives, inspiring interest in science, technology, engineering, and math. Additionally, the website middleweb.com elaborates that, while both genders are equally adept at acquiring and retaining knowledge, their learning preferences differ. By adopting diverse teaching methodologies, girls can be more effectively introduced to and engaged with STEM concepts.
To gain further insight, the subsequent interview features Dr. Beck Sage, CEO of Interactive Scientific in Bristol, England. Dr. Sage reflects on the early encouragement she received and offers strategies to inspire the upcoming generation.
[Website Link: https://www.catapult-x.com/changing-stem-perception/]
Initiating this supportive journey is pivotal. It lays the foundation to cultivate young girls' innate curiosity, shaping it into a lifelong passion that endures as they grow. Everyone can facilitate the interest and together, change the passion for understanding how the world around us works.
Want to be a part of the change? Encourage the young women in your life to explore STEM subjects, donate to organizations listed below that promote women in STEM, or simply share this post to raise awareness!
A portion of the products sold on my Etsy page also goes to support the Girl Scouts of America STEM objective. Including the mug pictured above.
See them here.
Resources:
Catapult X (2019). Changing STEM Perception.
EEOC (2022). Special Topics Annual Report: Women in STEM.
Girl Scouts of America- STEM program (2023) Girl Scouts of America Stem Program
Junior Achievement (2023). Official Site.
MiddleWeb (2023). Opening the Doors to Girls' STEM Success.
SheHeros (2023). New Study Shows Reason for Decline in Interest in STEM for Girls.
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