Take a walk into any of today’s advanced science and math classrooms and take a head count. Notice anything of note? Most likely, if you were to experience this hypothetical situation, you would be struck by a very real phenomenon: there are simply more boys than girls in these classes. This imbalance used to be widely accepted as a norm – something not to question – based on some mysterious “science” about boys’ brains somehow being more apt for those things. But times have changed, and scientific discovery has proven that belief system to be false, and what’s more, dangerous to our society. Fortunately, some modern movers and shakers are stepping in to educate the masses and bridge the disparity, through the STEM program. Read on to learn how the STEM program aims to inspire young women:
What is STEM? STEM is an acronym representative of four male-dominated fields: science, technology, engineering, and math. Proponents of this thought revolution, including First Lady Michelle Obama, are making it a point to bring this subject to the educational and media forefront, so as to encourage young girls everywhere to expand their minds as far as what they believe they can accomplish.
The STEM Coalition. There is an organized effort to broaden young American minds, and to encourage everyone – regardless of socioeconomic background, race, or gender – to explore the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. This organization, called the STEM Coalition, works through the National Science Foundation, the US Department of Education, and other related government agencies to provide support for educational institutions, instructors, and school staff members who are involved in administering STEM programs within the school system.
Spreading the STEM mindset. In order to reach young minds, the STEM message is being spread through the most effective channel possible: the media. For example, a preschool program called Doc McStuffins, on Disney Junior, features a female title character with a penchant for science and an ambition to become a doctor when she grows up. It seems that examples like this are equating to real-life success stories, as is the case with seven year old Zora Ball, who just presented a sophisticated mobile app of her own design to an audience of amazed onlookers at a University of Pennsylvania exposition.
There is no denying that the STEM Coalition is fighting an important battle, and that there is a long way to go before the gap will be closed. It is also certain that such a shift in the way we think and bring up our young girls to be women is a change that will do all of the world a great amount of good.
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’][/author_image] [author_info]About the Author: Gricelda Sauchez is a gre prep tutor who enjoys working with bright young women who aim to enter male-dominated and competitive fields. Many were earlier inspired by programs like STEM.[/author_info] [/author]
