The science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) workforce is crucial to America’s innovative capacity and global competitiveness. Women are vastly under-represented in STEM jobs and among STEM degree holders despite making up nearly half of the U.S. workforce and half of the college-educated workforce.
STEM jobs are projected to grow by as much as 17% compared to a 12% growth for non-STEM jobs in the U.S. Women in STEM jobs earn a third more than their female peers in non-STEM jobs.
Future of Work
Shift happens and that’s why we are different. By 2020, 60% of jobs will require skills that only 20% of the workforce today have.
The emergence of new technologies is changing society, the way we live, communicate, do business and learn. We are training girls for the future of work in the fourth industrial revolution. In their adolescent years, a high-risk period in which they are less likely to pursue STEM.
Diversity in STEM
At 3D Printing Academy for Girls, I learned that you cannot be discouraged by others just because you’re a girl. You’re smarter than you think you are.~Kansas, 12
Adolescent girls disengage in STEM through their middle school years. 3D Printing Academy for Girls is a positive influence not only for staying interested but choosing STEM careers in their future. Only 15% of those in engineering fields are women, and 9% of that are African American and Latina women.
We are reversing the gender gap in STEM-related careers, ensuring equitable access to STEM education and providing the right skills for girls.
What we’re doing to fix it
Girls who make, design, and create using technology develop stronger interests in computer science and engineering. Hands-on experience with technology helps girls build confidence and learn new skills.
We shatter stereotypes: You don’t have to be a nerd to write programs or build electronics. We embody diversity in STEM in such a way where STEM can happen and a girl can keep her own identity, all in a comfortable context and culture.
You Can’t Be What You Can’t See
I think it was especially important for my daughter to interact with women just like her.~ K. M, Parent
Although women have made great progress overall in education and in their careers in the last few years, they continue to be under-represented throughout the world in computer science and engineering.
We know it is important to have women mentoring the students and participating as guest speakers.
