Entering the greenhouse classroom for the first time, Daishaly was eager to learn about what was happening right before her eyes. The subject area of plants and growing was new to Daishaly, a student at Our Sisters’ School in New Bedford, MA, and she was excited to connect with and learn about nature. Our Sisters’ School is one of several Women’s Foundation of Boston‘s grantee partners focusing on increasing girls’ interest and engagement with STEM/STEAM through innovative, hands-on learning and mentorship.
Why Celebrate National STEM/STEAM Day
As we celebrate National STEM/STEAM Day, we hope to raise awareness about the subject and share the importance of engaging girls at an early age. Two of the Women’s Foundation of Boston’s grantee partners, Our Sisters’ School and Girlstart, are doing just that. They are bringing science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics to life for those who historically have not seen themselves in these fields. But why is this important? Because, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM employment occupations are estimated to increase more than 10% by 2030. Connecting girls with STEM/STEAM concepts at an early age and keeping them engaged will open a wealth of opportunities as they grow into young women and adults.
The pendulum is beginning to sway, but we need to keep up the momentum. In 1970, women made up 38% of all U.S. workers and only 8% of STEM workers. By 2019, the STEM proportion had increased to 27%, and women made up 48% of all workers, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. We know that introducing STEM/STEAM concepts at a young age is essential for girls. “Studies show that gender differences in attitudes and interest in science are present by the end of the elementary grades,” shared Girlstart Interim Executive Director Beverly Hamilton. “These early years represent a crucial window not only for providing students with a solid foundation in STEM subjects but also for cultivating an enthusiasm for STEM among girls,” Hamilton adds.
Ways to Engage Girls in STEM/STEAM
But how do we pique interest in a subject area where girls don’t visualize themselves? According to Our Sisters’ School’s Creative Director and STEAM/Art Teacher Tobey Eugenio, and Girlstart’s Hamilton, the following methods engage participants and cultivate interest:
- Provide girl-centered programming so students can see themselves reflected in the curriculum.
- Introduce authentic hands-on challenges that are relatable and centered around connecting and supporting the community.
- Assist girls in building their toolbox to solve complex problems that encourage understanding, application, and empathy while focusing on mistake-making as an asset.
- Work alongside and learn in parallel with STEM/STEAM community mentors who participants see as role models.
- Build real-world connections to STEM/STEAM by engaging guest speakers and a career-focused curriculum so students see how this learning relates to their future.
Changing the Trajectory for Girls
“Research shows that enduring gender bias, internalized stereotype threat, and lack of female role models are persistent factors that discourage girls and women from pursuing STEM and STEM-related professions,” Hamilton shared. With a mission to change the outcome, these grantee partners allow girls to view themselves in these roles. They empower their students to pursue STEM studies, introduce them to a diverse STEM workforce, and nurture their talent in this subject area. The partner’s innovative initiatives are changing the trajectory for girls in STEM as they move into adulthood.
As we reflect on the purpose of National STEM/STEAM Day, we recognize the impact of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics on education. This day signifies a movement by educators across the nation to empower children to explore these fields. “By increasing public awareness and drawing attention to STEM, hopefully people, especially girls, will seek out STEM projects and information to further their education,” Hamilton shared.
The statistics illustrate the importance of involving girls and women in STEM/STEAM. An investment in their future can set them on a positive path to adulthood. Please support these initiatives with a Donation Today to the Women’s Foundation of Boston. Together we will empower girls to pursue their dreams of a future in the STEM/STEAM fields.
About the Foundation and Grantee Partners
Women’s Foundation of Boston economically empowers greater Boston women and girls by creating and funding high-impact leadership and economic programs in partnership with nonprofits serving women and girls solely. To learn more about WF Boston’s grantee partners, visit www.wfboston.org.
Girlstart increases girls’ interest and engagement in STEM through innovative, nationally-recognized informal STEM education programs. Visit www.girlstart.org/boston-metro-west to learn more.
Our Sisters’ School is an independent, tuition-free, non-sectarian middle school that educates and inspires economically disadvantaged girls from the New Bedford area. Our Sisters’ School empowers girls to step into the future with valuable life skills and a mindset of achievement and excellence by providing a safe, supportive, and academically challenging environment. Visit www.oursistersschool.org to learn more.
Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, was named President and CEO of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in 2016. She is also Director of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center and the Richard and Susan Smith Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Previously, she was the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean and Professor of Medicine of Weill Cornell Medicine and Provost for Medical Affairs of Cornell University. Dr. Glimcher is a distinguished immunologist, widely renowned for her work in one of the most promising areas of cancer research.
Linda Henry is the CEO of the Boston Globe Media Partners. She is a co-founder of HUBweek, a civic collaboration between the Boston Globe, Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital, and MIT that explores the future being built at the intersection of art, science and technology. Linda is also an early-stage impact investor, an Emmy-Award winning television producer with two shows currently airing, and a community activist. She serves as a director of the Red Sox Foundation, is a trustee of the Liverpool Football Club Foundation, chair of the Boston Globe Foundation, and chairman of the John W. Henry Family Foundation. In addition, she is a founder of the Boston Public Market, serves on the advisory board of MassChallenge, and is on the board of the Engine at MIT. She earned a BS from Babson College and her MS from MIT.
Bekah Salwasser joined the Red Sox Foundation as the Executive Director in January of 2018. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Brown University and has extensive experience in philanthropy and both professional and semi-professional sports. After four years working as Community Relations Director for the Boston Celtics, Bekah went on to lead Scholar Athletes as its Executive Director, a program that supports public high school athletes with both their athletic and academic achievements. Earlier in her career, Bekah served as a professional soccer player for the Boston Breakers and as Executive Director of the Charlestown Lacrosse and Learning Center.
Kimberly Fay Boucher is a business executive who has driven high performance organizations in technology, consumer products and social enterprise/nonprofit industries over the past 25 years. She is currently the Technology Commercialization Business Leader for the CTO at Analog Devices, where she is responsible for driving new technologies from incubation stages to successful businesses. Kim is also a Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management, where she teaches Disciplined Entrepreneurship in the Martin Trust Center. She holds a BS in Management Industrial Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She is a NCAA Academic All-American Women’s Basketball player and has been inducted into the WPI Hall of Fame.
Ami Kuan Danoff (Co-Founder and CFO) is a private investor and the trustee of a foundation. She is a Harvard Quantum Founder and a member of the Harvard FAS Dean’s Council. Ami earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University in Visual and Environmental Studies and holds a dual master’s degree in Applied Economics and International Finance from the Sloan School of Management at MIT. She was a portfolio manager in global equities at Putnam Investments and co-manager of the Putnam International New Opportunities Fund, and also worked as an international equities analyst at Fidelity Investments.
Christina Heenan Suh holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in English and Marketing and a master’s from Columbia University. A former management consultant, her work focused on strategy and implementation projects for Fortune 100 clients. She was also an account executive at Hill+Knowlton (WPP) marketing consumer packaged goods. As an Executive Board Member of the Brookline Education Foundation, which funds professional development in the Brookline Public Schools, Christina led their Grant and Oversight Committees. She currently sits on the board of the Brookline Library Foundation and teaches ESL at Rosie’s Place in Boston.
Christina Gordon (Co-Founder and CEO) holds a dual master’s degree in International Finance and Applied Economics from MIT’s Sloan School of Management. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Boston University and also studied for a joint master’s degree in Women’s Studies and Sociology at Brandeis with a focus on women in the workplace. Christina is a former assistant fund manager and technology industry equity analyst at Wellington Management. She also worked as a stock analyst at Fidelity Investments. She is a trustee of a private foundation, a member of Women Moving Millions and currently sits on the board of Rosie’s Place, a sanctuary for poor and homeless women in Boston.