So how is our country turning the tides of this social, cultural, and economic predicament and working to increase the representation of women in STEM fields?
Well, many organizations are starting with the youth, introducing girls to STEM fields and cultivating interest at an early age. STEM educational programs geared toward elementary, high school, and college students not only spur engagement for girls, it helps break destructive stereotypes in the culture at large by increasing the visibility of women in these fields.
Image courtesy of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Techbridge
This program is offered in conjunction with the Girl Scouts of America, providing middle school and high school level students with STEM afterschool and summer programs. Techbridge is available in over 30 schools across Seattle, Oakland, San Jose, and San Lorenzo. Students can participate in lessons on programming, digital media, city planning, robotics, and many other exciting STEM topics. Women who already work in STEM fields are encouraged to participate as Techbridge Role Models by leading student projects and serving as a community resource.
The National Girls Collaborative Project: Engaging Girls in STEM
This national organization provides funding and assistance to over 12,800 organizations for STEM education projects. Their collaborative leadership teams use public outreach tactics to organize educational events for K-12 girls, providing them with access to resources including STEM classes, counselors, and research opportunities. Nearly every state in the U.S. has a regional or local NGCP collaborative, which organizations and individual professional can work with to build educational STEM strategies for young women.
The American Association of University Women (AAUW)
This academic women's advocacy organization regularly publishes research pertaining to the visibility of women in STEM roles. This can be used as a strong launching point for institutions and individuals who wish to begin STEM education initiatives. AAUW's local chapters play a strong role in academic advocacy and support for women who are currently attending school in STEM fields.
The White House
The White House has launched an Equal Futures partnership program with 12 other member countries, which is dedicated to increasing the representation of women in STEM fields. The White House has issued several national commitments, including an increase in researched-based STEM education, greater mentor pool resources, increased leverage of digital communication tools to raise awareness, and increased support for female entrepreneurs.
Increasing the presence of women in STEM fields is such a high priority, that the White House has compiled a list of significant facts, recent news, speeches, events, and resources dedicated to the empowerment of women who wish to enter or who are currently in STEM careers. According to First Lady Michelle Obama, "We need all hands on deck, and that means clearing hurdles for women and girls as they navigate careers in science, technology, engineering, and math."
STEM Women of Color Conclave
Students and professionals in the STEM fields can explore career opportunities, professional development experiences, and networking events by attending the STEM Women of Color Conclave, an annual event that is dedicated to the increased representation of minority women in STEM fields. Attendees include government employees, college administrators, faculty, researchers, and other STEM professionals.