In a 2012Forbes Magazine article Heather R. Huhman asked the question, “But where is the female equivalent of Steve
Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg?” This question is a reflection of the general
concern that there is apandemic of inequality with regards to the number of women versus men who
are making global strides through innovation in science, technology,
engineering and math (STEM) professions. The call for more women to fill STEM
occupations should not be seen as a negative or antagonistic competition to
devalue the important contributions of men within these fields.
There are definitely women including Dr.Mae Jamison, GerthrudeElion and Dr.Rosalind Franklin , who have made tremendous contributions to
their respective STEM professions. However, with so few women pursuing STEM degrees in
general, it may well be that the majority of the innovators in science and technology will continue
to be predominantly men. Unless there is a concerted effort by a
village of educators to raise interest in STEM education among girls as early
as possible, we stand to lose out on the groundbreaking contributions that non-existent women engineers and scientists never develop.
From
The Cradle To Classroom Approach
While it’s likely that most girls may change their minds
about future career paths many times before they even complete elementary school,
it is extremely important that they receive the proper educational foundation
that they will need to transition into STEM careers later in life if that is
their desire. Waiting until young women are already enrolled in college to then
focus on the fact that they are under-prepared for STEM-related courses is
unacceptable. There must be a sustained preparation that starts before girls ever enter a
classroom. Preparation for a career in a STEM field needs to start at
home. Parents are the first and often
the most influential teachers a little girl will have during crucial early childhood
years.
Prior to her first day of pre-K a
little girl
begins to develop concepts of her identity which may latershape her academic and professional choices. Providing a home environment that immerses young girls in a world of
STEM learning adventures doesn’t require a doctorate in Astrophysics or a six
figure income. There are multitudesof resources available to the average parent who wants to
incorporate learning in playtime. “STEMulating” her mind with games, toys and books can
help to ensure that a young girl develops an early interest and appreciation
for STEM-related concepts.
The message to
parents should be that it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to raise one.
For
example: reading a book about animals or
explaining how ice cubes form and why they melt is something that a parent with
very little formal scientific education can do.
Although it may seem trivial at the time, these simple activities may ignite a spark that opens the doors of science to a curious child. For the parent
who doesn’t have the requisite knowledge, learning new things along with your
girls may be a fruitful bonding experience that has lasting rewards for both
parents and children.
Like
A Girl…
Beyond simply providing toys that engage a girl’s mind on a scientific level, the
gift of empowerment is one that parents and external educators need to bestow
to girls as early as possible. It is imperative that little girls develop
self-confidence in their abilities, especially when it comes to activities that
require math and science skills. Historically girls have been discouraged from
pursuing what are seen as traditional male oriented recreational and academic
interests. There are countlessexamples of women who have relayed how, when they were little,
they were discouraged from engaging in certain activities like building a model
train, or playing outdoors and learning about nature, because their parents or
teachers felt that such activities were not suitable for girls.
This is part of the problem that has resulted
in the current deficit of females in STEM-related careers. Unfortunately it is
a problem that has no instant solution.
A sustained effort to reverse the trend of female absenteeism in the
STEM workplace is needed. Girls need to
know that their interests and abilities as equal to those of their male
counterparts. The more they are
encouraged to realize that doing something “Like a girl…” is a compliment, not
a disadvantage, little girls will begin to embrace their roles as future
pioneers of a more female inclusive STEM landscape.
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