Education Week’s Post

It's heartbreaking to think that young girls, full of curiosity and potential, start doubting themselves in primary school. The biases and stereotypes they encounter can shape their beliefs about what they can achieve. This isn't just a personal loss—it's a loss for society as a whole. We need more brilliant minds in STEM, and girls bring unique perspectives that can lead to incredible innovations. Yet, from a young age, they are often subtly (or not so subtly) told that these fields aren't for them. This can be through things like: 👎 Gendered toys and books that push them away from building and problem-solving activities. 👎 Less encouragement in science and math classes. 👎 Fewer role models in STEM fields that look like them. So, what can we do to change this? 💡 Encourage young girls to explore and question the world around them. Buy them science kits, LEGOs, and books about female scientists and engineers. 💡 Be conscious of our language and the messages we send. Praise their efforts and problem-solving skills, not just their appearance. 💡 Highlight women in STEM. Share stories of female scientists, engineers, and tech leaders. Show them that they can be anything they want to be. It’s not just about opening doors; it’s about tearing down the walls that prevent them from walking through. Every girl should feel empowered to pursue her interests and talents, free from the shadow of stereotypes. Let’s commit to fostering a world where every child—regardless of gender—can dream big and achieve even bigger. #GirlsInSTEM #STEMEducation #BreakTheBias #EmpowerHer #WomenInScience #TechForAll #FutureLeaders #YoubelongInSTEM #WomenSTEMTogether #STEM #WomenInSTEM #WomenInScience #WomenInTechnology #WomenInEngineering #WomenInMath #Steminist #StemCareers #StemLife #EmpowerHer #StemWomen #GirlsInStem

As we honor Women's History Month, I dedicate this post to celebrating females in STEM, including my daughter—Savannah. Discovering my firstborn was a daughter, I delved into child development research and parenting books like "Cinderella Ate My Daughter," remaining vigilant about my parenting and societal biases against girls in education. So, you can imagine my delight when Kindergarten-aged Savannah randomly declared she wanted to become a chemist. Year after year, though, there were diminishing programs and opportunities. Even as she excelled as one of the middle school's "Mathletes," her relationship with STEM dwindled. It's one thing for any human to navigate with fluctuating curiosity in varying subjects. It's perfectly natural. But, it is another when a student feels like they don't fit in STEM. My heart sank—was she destined to become another statistic? Then the pandemic hit, and Savannah entered the largest school in Maryland, which gave my "side career as a mom" jitters. Taking a couple of AP courses in her first semester, she fearlessly embraced several AP courses at a time, immersing herself in the world of STEM. It wasn't until last May, during a lively discussion about her yearbook, that I grasped the gravity of her situation—only three out of twenty-four students in her Quantum Physics class were females. While I knew about this statistic, experiencing the gender disparity in STEM firsthand was eye-opening. This challenge is real and personal. As I witness her journey, my gratitude swells this month. Savannah was named one of Bethesda Magazine's 2024 most extraordinary teens in Montgomery County. Her dream as of now? To pursue a career in biochemical engineering with a focus on global health policy. On that note, let's continue to uplift, encourage one another, and inspire young dreamers to pursue their passions in STEM and beyond. And my message to you is—Find that spark within and use it to ignite your drive. Find others' spark along the way, knowing they have the light. To read more about Savannah's journey, check out: https://lnkd.in/eMsanS4e #WomenInStem #STEM #WomenHistoryMonth #YouthLeadership

Caltech's recent milestone is nothing short of groundbreaking. For the first time, the institution is set to enroll a majority of women, marking a significant shift in its historically male-dominated culture. This pivotal moment represents more than just a statistical change; it signifies a broader commitment to inclusivity and diversity in STEM fields. By creating an environment where women are the majority, Caltech is leading the charge in breaking down barriers and setting a new standard for gender equity in higher education. It's a reminder that progress in representation within academia and STEM is not just about numbers but about creating opportunities and fostering innovation. At Base 11, we are pleased to have concluded another successful Summer Fellowship cycle at Caltech where we have partnered to create more equity in STEM. #WomenInSTEM #STEM #WomensEmpowerment

🚀 While women have made significant strides in STEM since the 1970s, recent years have seen a plateau in progress. The culprit? Persistent gender bias in education and the workplace. Despite their capabilities, girls face underestimation in math from a young age, with studies showing they receive lower grades than boys for similar work. This early discouragement impacts their STEM ambitions profoundly. 🔬 By the time they reach college, women earn 36% of STEM bachelor’s degrees but continue to confront stereotypes about their skills and dedication. A notable study reveals that 43% of women in STEM leave their careers within seven years of becoming mothers—not just for family reasons, but due to ongoing bias and barriers that their male colleagues rarely face. 🌐 This isn't just about individual career paths; it's a significant loss to innovation and scientific advancement. We need to challenge these biases and create a truly inclusive STEM field. Read more: The Argonaut - Moscow, ID by Presley Zimmerman https://ow.ly/p6R750Rui7H #inclusivestem #stem #womeninstem #womaninstem #education #neverstoplearning #workplace #math #studies #study #Empowerment #BreakingBarriers #STEM #techdeveloper #engineer #BreakTheBias #GirlsInSTEM #WomenInScience #TechWomen

📣 New Blog Alert! 📣 Words matter: the influence of language on women in STEM disciplines by Elodie Pozzi, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. In this post, Elodie explores two examples of how words can affect women's decisions in STEM. Elodie reminds us to remain vigilant about our word choices and to promote positive language in STEM fields. Read more on our blog site: https://lnkd.in/eEg8-JJb #wordsmatter #highereducation #STEMeducation #newblogpost

The Rutgers Center for Women in Business (CWIB) wishes everyone a Happy Fall 2024 Semester! To kick off the school year, we celebrate Caltech’s latest milestone. For the first time, over half of its incoming undergraduate class are women. This fall, 113 women and 109 men are starting at Caltech. It’s an exciting time for Caltech and a promising step towards greater gender parity in STEM education and careers. Nationally, women make up about 57.3% of all undergraduate degree recipients. However, when it comes to STEM fields, the numbers are quite different: 38.6% of STEM bachelor’s degrees are awarded to women. These statistics highlight the ongoing gender disparities in STEM education. It’s encouraging to see institutions like Caltech making strides towards gender parity in their incoming classes. We look forward to more universities achieving gender parity across a variety of programs, especially those that are male-dominated. Article: https://lnkd.in/eCuYtKNT Stats: Yale Scientific Magazine #backtoschool #STEM #womeninscience #rutgers #cwib #womeninbusiness

The idea that words matter, even in a small scope has been a hill I have lived on for many years. Words have power, beyond just as a communication tool. They can evoke emotions, instill confidence, and motivate or demotivate. Small changes can have a large impact, for better or worse. Check out this blog that explains two examples of how small word shifts made a measurable impact on decision-making in STEM.

Despite massive gains in recent years, there is still a sizable gender gap in the STEM fields. Research suggests there are variety of causes for the gap: gender stereotypes, peer pressure, a lack of female role models, and perceptions of how "intimidating" the subject matter can be. To bridge STEM's gender gap, we must take steps to make STEM more fun, accessible and rewarding. EY suggests that gamified learning strategies could make an impact. It argues that girls who’ve used the EY STEM App have shown a quantifiable increase in confidence, competence, and appreciation of the value of STEM. One thing that's clear: we need to adapt our strategies to appeal to the next generation. #WomenInSTEM #GenderGap #Education

Being Inclusive in STEM. 🌈 Breaking STEM stereotypes 💡 Is STEM still a ‘boys’ field?’ How can we do better at encouraging young girls to jump into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math? Let’s change the narrative! 👧👦 Getting both boys and girls from all backgrounds interested in STEM topics at a young age reduces the barriers they will face when they’re a little older. This is because they’ll already be familiar with the areas and will naturally be less scared of them. They’ll also have a greater appetite to develop on their skills in STEM subjects later in life. #inclusive, #futurestem

Caltech has achieved a historic milestone by enrolling a majority female undergraduate class for the first time in its 133-year history. This breakthrough is the result of years of efforts, including expanding the Women in STEM program, which encourages young women to pursue careers in science and engineering. Despite the challenges women have faced in STEM fields, such as underrepresentation and societal discouragement, Caltech's accomplishment reflects significant progress toward gender parity in one of the world’s top institutions for science and technology. This change marks a promising shift for future generations of women in STEM. https://lnkd.in/g6m9Wgg5