Stephanie Dodier B.Ed. MA’s Post

Hermanas Diseña Tu Futuro: 20 Years of Impact In 2005, the program “Hermanas: Diseña Tu Futuro” (Sisters: Design Your Future) was created with three core goals: demystifying STEM, making it more accessible, and offering an invitation to girls who are often excluded from these opportunities. This innovative model focuses on addressing the needs of young women who typically don't get the chance to participate. The one-day conference introduces girls to various engineering fields, offers hands-on experiences, and provides informational sessions on preparing for academic and professional success, all within a safe, welcoming, and collaborative environment. This program continues to produce results and outcomes to this day. The design of the program was shaped by the realization that many girls are never invited to join STEM initiatives. Those who don’t show an interest in math, struggle academically, or fail to capture someone’s attention often miss out on these opportunities. For this reason, it was crucial to ensure the program reached girls who might otherwise never be included—those who may not excel in math or science, or who face challenges like family or financial issues, peer pressure, or other social struggles. The aim was to create an experience for girls who might never have the chance to engage with STEM unless they felt valued and motivated to participate. Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones! Access “The STEM Podium” Blog to be inspired by two stories of impact.

The Girls' Index™: Girls & STEM Impact Report from Ruling Our eXperiences, Inc. (ROX) is a comprehensive study that delves deep into the experiences, perceptions, and aspirations of girls in STEM. One of the encouraging findings is that girls across race and socioeconomic status are increasingly interested in STEM careers. It’s important to meet this interest with opportunity and address access barriers to STEM programs and resources. Learn more about girls’ interest in STEM by reading the report findings: https://lnkd.in/eE8HQXmX

🎥✨Exclusive Interview at the STEM-xhibitions Final Conference !✨🎥 As part of the final conference hosted by the project coordinator, RDIUP, we sat down with key policymakers to explore the future of STEM education and youth engagement.🌟🔬 In this insightful discussion, azzedine bensouda from Municipality of Ville Les Mureaux shared his perspectives while addressing thought-provoking questions from Orestis Rizopoulos representing C.I.P Citizens In Power.  Together, they explored the importance of innovation in STEM education and the lasting impact of the project. 🌍💡 💡Key Takeaways: 🔹 Effective strategies to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders. 🔹 The role of policy in advancing educational opportunities. 🔹 Practical insights on integrating STEM tools into local strategies. 🎯Watch now to learn how policymakers shape the future of STEM! #ErasmusPlus #STEM #Education #Policy #YouthEngagement #LocalImpact

Did you ever think to yourself, I would really like to contribute to making my STEM department or program more inclusive, but I just don’t know where to start… Start here. Dr. Ong has provided clear and concrete steps toward more inclusive STEM spaces - how many have you tried in your department or program? These are written to provide a pathway for STEM departments to initiate systemic change, but researchers, practitioners, funders, and societies all have a role to play in this space. Make a plan. Implement. Be a change agent! Evaluate. Share your successes and challenges. This is inherently a system-wide problem and requires a lot of creative and intentional work, but it doesn’t have to happen alone. https://lnkd.in/edSsK9Te

Transform STEM education through equity and innovation! Join STEM Equity Ambassadors at #E2E2024 to learn: * How to identify and address the Five Faces of Oppression in STEM * Strategies for developing impactful Equity Action Plans * Innovative uses of theater techniques in equity education Don't miss this chance to become a catalyst for change in your STEM ecosystem! 🔗 REGISTER TODAY: https://lnkd.in/e4M4yaBW #STEMEcosystems #ChicagoConvening #AccessInAction to join the conversation

In an opinion piece for Fast Company, Frederic "Dr. B" Bertley, Ph.D., emphasizes that wars can lead to unexpected positive changes, using historical examples like the American Education Act of 1921 as a backdrop. This act was born from the shocking realization that 25% of draftees in World War I were illiterate, prompting advocates to push for better education. Today, we face a similar crisis with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) literacy, where initiatives like a proposed National STEM Week aim to address educational gaps and promote innovation across all communities. Dr. Bertley argues that just as the past reforms aimed to improve education for all, the current focus on STEM must ensure inclusivity, especially for underrepresented groups. With alarming statistics showing low proficiency in math and science, especially among minority students, he stresses the urgent need for a coordinated effort to enhance STEM education. This includes partnerships between schools and industries and community engagement. Ultimately, he believes that investing in education is crucial for America’s future in a competitive global economy, and we must act now to solve these pressing challenges. #STEMEducation #EducationReform #Inclusion #Innovation #trustscience

Have you checked out our most recent Afterschool STEM Research Review yet? Want to dig into some research focused on afterschool STEM facilitating youth-led community impact and the implications for policy? The research reflects the programs that the Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) works to support and advocate for. Click the link below to learn more and access the research review. https://lnkd.in/eWxjeVHh And, thanks so much to Amanda Sullivan of the National Girls Collaborative for all her help putting this one together!

🚀🚀🚀We are happy to share that STEM for ALL – STEFORA is now a partner of EU STEM Coalition. ✨The EU STEM Coalition is an EU-wide network that works to build better STEM education in Europe. The goal of this coalition, is to shape STEM education policies and practices that foster economic growth, opportunity and well-being for all. 💡Last week, we had the chance to participate in EU STEM Coalition bi-monthly meeting and we delivered a brief presentation on STEFORA's goal, outcome and results as well as identified various opportunities to collaborate in the future. 🎉We are happy to be part of this amazing community and we look forward to work with policy makers, education providers and industry across Europe towards a more inclusive STEM education. #STEMforAll #steforaproject #CBHE #ErasmusPlus #capacitybuilding #internationaleducation

Today is Ada Lovelace Day, a celebration of Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). Ada Lovelace Day is an annual event held on the second Tuesday of October to celebrate and raise awareness of the contributions of women to STEM fields. It is named after mathematician and computer science pioneer Ada Lovelace, often regarded as one of the first computer programmers. To celebrate Ada Lovelace day, why not learn some more about her here https://lnkd.in/eVWhUmcV (video) or here https://lnkd.in/e8KBY7wK (BBC Newsround article) or the work of the Ada Lovelace Institute here https://lnkd.in/eeSf82eH. Women are still significantly under-represented in STEM and just 24% of UK Workforce in STEM disciplines are women https://lnkd.in/e5FzXfJy. There are various initiatives in the UK and abroad to continue to support and encourage Women into STEM careers and this presents opportunities that may be of interest to pupils here at Cranleigh School including, but not limited to, the STEM events listed here https://lnkd.in/eFCkATTM.

The intentionality of STEM programs can significantly influence whether youth feel welcomed or excluded in STEM spaces. This quarter's Afterschool STEM Hub newsletter highlights practices for creating spaces of inclusion and getting all youth excited about STEM, while also supporting the afterschool educators inspiring the youth. 🔽 https://lnkd.in/egvSWY_S And if you're not following the Afterschool STEM Hub, you are missing out on the latest out-of-school time #STEM research, programs that are leading the way, and recommendations for how research can be applied to practice and policy!