“Young girls need to see role models in whatever careers they may choose, just so they can picture themselves doing those jobs someday. You can’t be what you can’t see.” – Sally Ride, First American Female to go to Space

Women make up half of the total U.S. college-educated workforce, but only 28% of the science and engineering workforce. There are several reasons that contribute to this discrepancy including a lack of pre-college experience, stereotypes (social bias and sexism) that dissuade female participation in STEM-related activities, lack of role models, according to a University Washington study. The overall most powerful impact, the researchers conclude, is a “masculine culture” that makes many women feel like they don’t belong.

At the Y, we want to promote and encourage the presence of females in this ever-growing field. A few ways you can bring STEM to your own home:

• Check out some great books that feature women in STEM, written by women. Here is a list of our favorites:
  • Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
  • Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
  • Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly and Laura Freeman 
  • The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
  • Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark by Heather Lang
  • The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm  
  • Finding Wonders: Three Girls Who Changed Science by Jeannine Atkins
  • Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky  
  • Radioactive! How Irène Curie and Lise Meitner Revolutionized Science and Changed the World by Winifred Conkling
  • Wonder Women: 25 Innovators, Inventors, and Trailblazers Who Changed History by Sam Maggs
• Do some cool STEM experiments at home! Here are a few we enjoy:
  • Visit our Y Family Room which features dozens of super cool STEM experiments and activities.
  • Make a slime for every season or area of interest.
  • Round up some common household items and try some cool at-home Science Experiments with Steve Spangler

More information and resources: 

• Keeping Girls in STEM: 3 Barriers, 3 Solution
• 5 Ways to Get Girls into STEM
• Why are there so few women in STEM?
• Why do some STEM fields have fewer women than others?
• 8 Ways to Get More Girls Involved in STEM That Really Work