Women in S.T.E.M.Madison Maloney

WHAT?• There is a worldwide discrepancy between the

number of men and women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers.

• With this gap, STEM fields lack a wide variety of perspectives capable of bringing fresh ideas to better our world.

• This problem is being investigated in many countries, and no easy solution has been reached.

WHO/WHERE?• Women around the entire

world*This is an issue in developing AND developed countries.*Percent of STEM jobs held by

women:

China

40%

USA 24%

UK 12.3%

South Africa, Korea, Indonesia and IndiaLess Than 30%

WHEN?• This is a CURRENT problem around the world.

• This issue has existed throughout history, and it has been noticed increasingly as gender roles have changed and women have left the home to enter the workforce.

• This problem will continue without dedication to cultural change that fosters the development of women in fields outside of the humanities.

WHY?• The main causes of this problem revolve around

culture.• Boys encouraged to build and explore, not girls• Toys for boys geared more toward engineering• Not the norm for girls to enter STEM fields, resulting

stigma

• The problem is also associated with history.• For most of history, women in many different parts of the

world were encouraged and expected to stay in the home to take care of their children.• As industrialization swept the world, many women began

to enter the workforce.• Due to the head start that men had, women fell behind.• Many women enter “traditional” female fields like

teaching or nursing.

THE ISSUE EXPRESSED IN MULTIMEDIA

WHAT IS BEING DONE?

• Organizations are being set up to share stories of women in STEM fields and to connect them to one another.• Womensphere Nuclei Media Project (USA)• WISE (UK)• AWIS (US and abroad)

• Scholarships support and encourage women in the pursuit of STEM degrees.• Elsevier Foundation Award for Early Career Women

Scientists in the Developing World• Vanguard Women in Technology Scholarship

• Toys are being developed to interest young girls in STEM.• Goldieblox

WHAT CAN WE DO?

• Encourage young girls to think about STEM careers.

• Do not contribute to the culture that limits girls to certain fields.

• Share stories about successful women in STEM when you see them.

• Support foundations dedicated to increasing STEM opportunities for girls.

• Buy a toy that involves some building or creation the next time you purchase a gift for a young girl.

• Show support for the increasing incorporation of STEM into public schools.

PERSONAL CONNECTION• I will be attending North Carolina State University as a Park Scholar

to pursue a dual major in aerospace and mechanical engineering.• Math and science have always been areas of interest for me, and I

have participated in events dedicated to women in engineering along with competitions like Science Olympiad.

• I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to play with toys that involved building without having my parents tell me that I needed to stick to more traditional girl toys like dolls.

• My hope is that more young girls in our country and abroad will have access to opportunities in STEM fields so that they may passionately pursue what interests them, not necessarily what history says they should do.

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