According to the National Girls Collaborative Project although women receive over half of bachelor’s degrees awarded in the biological sciences, “they receive far fewer in the computer sciences (17.9%), engineering (19.3%), physical sciences (39%) and mathematics (43.1%).” Thus, women are underrepresented in most STEM industries. Currently, women are:
- 35.2% of chemists
- 11.1% of physicists and astronomers
- 33.8% of environmental engineers
- 22.7% of chemical engineers
- 17.5% of civil, architectural, and sanitary engineers
- 17.1% of industrial engineers
- 10.7% of electrical or computer hardware engineers are women
- 7.9% of mechanical engineers
Helping millennial girls fall in love with STEM
Eventually, every company will be a “technology company.” And, millennials are our first digital “natives.” So, keeping millennial girls involved in STEM subjects is crucial. Here’s how:
Toys and games. Research shows that certain toys and games can help young children develop the spatial logic and other analytical skills critical to science, technology, engineering and math. So, break out those LEGOs!
School smarts. Girls start out as strong in math and science as boys, but lose interest along the way. This is commonly known as the the “leaky pipeline.” Teachers need to remain aware of this and work to keep girls excited and engaged about STEM subjects.
Mentors: “To get more girls in STEM let’s go for collective action…” says Julie Kantor, Chief Partnership Officer at Million Women Mentors. “Of 368,000 high school girls who want to pursue STEM only 4% said they had a mentor encouraging them.” When professionals commit to mentoring a girl or young woman in STEM skills, the number of women in STEM industries will grow.
Using summer as a springboard to get girls involved in STEM subjects
One resource is The Connectory. This is the largest directory of youth-serving STEM programs and opportunities and contains thousands of programs, making it easy for caregivers to find youth STEM opportunities.
In Nationwide and southeastern Pennsylvania, Back to Basics tutors create the perfect summer STEM plan for your student. Students can learn everything from Computer Science to Chemistry, Biology to Calculus, and everything in between. Students can use the time to brush up on knowledge and skills or even get ahead for next year.
Back to Basics will work around your work schedule, vacation plans, and summer camp commitments, keeping students academically active and enthused, without interfering with any of your highly anticipated summer trips or events.
Tutoring is available 7 days a week and is provided either in your home, school, office, summer camp, after school care, or at one of our Education Centers in either Wilmington or Newark, Nationwide. To learn more about summer educational options, call Back to Basics at 302-594-0754.
About Back to Basics Learning Dynamics, Inc.
Back to Basics offers 1-on-1 tutoring in 60+ subjects, professional development, translating and interpreting in 21 languages, speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavior specialists, reading specialists, paras, ELL services, homebound services, RTI support, psycho-educational testing and test prep. We also offer summer school and educational summer camps, original credit and credit recovery, along with unique enrichment options such as music, art and photography. Plus, Back to Basics Private School is Nationwide’s only Department of Education approved 1-on-1 Private School for K-12.
Back to Basics Learning Dynamics is the undisputed leader in 1-on-1 tutoring in Nationwide and the tri-state area for over 60 subjects. Since 1985, our commitment to a 1-on-1 teaching method has differentiated us from other educational service providers.
We serve the diverse needs of a range of students – from those who simply need some academic support, to those who are learning disabled, hearing or visually impaired, ADHD, gifted, or on the Autism Spectrum including High Functioning Autistic and Asperger’s.
