STEM

Science Technology Engineering Mathematics

We are more than 2 decades into the 21st century and yet, despite all those good intentions, the rhetoric, the thoughts and prayers, the overall role and recognition of women and minorities in STEM remains appallingly low.  Perceptions that math and science are male domains remain deeply embedded in both individual attitudes and institutional constructs, in students and professionals alike.  These perceptions are manifested in many ways: unconscious bias towards employment and recognition, harassment in the workplace, and the kind of verbal aggression that has become all too common on social media.  Many learned studies demonstrate how gender-science and minority stereotypes can influence the aspirations to enroll in school and tertiary level STEM subjects. The STEM and broader community know all this, and yet there remains an overwhelming inertia to solve the problem.

There are many great websites and educational programs that promote and advocate for science as a gender-free and harassment-free enterprise. Some of them are listed below. More will be added as I become aware of them.

 

Pioneering Women in Earth Science

A series on this website that features women who contributed significantly to geoscience and to equality in all scientific endeavours. The biographies presented here are those relevant to the Earth sciences, primarily from the 17^th to mid-20^th centuries, initially focusing on 18th and 19th C. They are brief, intended to introduce and direct readers to the more expansive and erudite accounts referenced.

  I’ll keep adding to this list of pioneers

Featured websites

Library Science Degrees.org

The role of libraries has changed dramatically over the past two decades. They are as critical now to the pursuit of science as they have ever been.  The website helps students find the best online Master’s and Bachelor’s programs in Library Science.
It also hosts comprehensive resources for students interested in working in libraries, museums, archives, and other cultural institutions in a professional setting.

Here’s the link to an excellent post on “Free STEM Resources Provided By Public Libraries” by Alina Moore. It covers what STEM is, the correlation to library services, the variety of STEM programs that are available in libraries, and the different youth age groups that libraries cater to when providing STEM educational materials and resources for free. Additionally, this article includes resources for those interested in seeking more information about STEM-based education that can be done at home or virtually.

#SuperstarsOfSTEM

An initiative created by Science & Technology Australia in 2017, “to smash gender assumptions about who can work in science, technology, engineering and maths….  Open to women and non-binary people, the program equips brilliant diverse STEM experts with advanced communication skills and opportunities – in the media, on stage and in schools… to inspire our next generations of young Australians into STEM study and careers.“

 

Lost Women of Science Initiative

The Lost Women of Science Initiative is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to telling the forgotten or untold stories of remarkable female scientists and their groundbreaking work through history.

We bring these narratives to life for general audiences through various media platforms, including our flagship podcast, books, digital platforms, and theater. Additionally, we are committed to digitizing and archiving our research, and making primary source materials accessible to students, educators, and historians of science.

 

Ohio University Civil engineering

The banner How Women in Engineering Proudly Raise Their Flag and Pursue Their Dreams headlines the Engineering Schools promotion for the Masters program.

The Infographic begins with a sobering reminder that in 2019, only 15.7% of employment positions in architecture and engineering were occupied by women.  The blog continues with items that illustrate how women are progressing in engineering, and what the STEM community at large can do to encourage women to pursue engineering:

• Female Pioneers in Engineering
• Percentage of Women in Full-Time Engineering Positions
• Supporting Female Engineers in the Workplace
• How to Encourage Women to Pursue and Stay in Engineering
• How Men can Empower Women in Engineering
• Notable Women in Engineering

 

Links to other great  sites:

IfThenSheCan  IF/THEN® is designed to activate a culture shift among young girls to open their eyes to STEM careers.  Their website

Geoscience Women in STEM

Girls into Geoscience  A STEM networking group based at University of Plymouth; also Twitter

Geoscience For The Future   Run by Dr. Natasha Dowey. Invited/guest blogs

 GeoLatinas  Embracing, Empowering and Inspiring Latinas in Earth and Planetary Sciences.

WOMESSA – Women in Earth & Environmental Science Australasia

K12 program, US Schools

Harvard Women in STEM resources

STEM Women resources

Lady Science Monthly magazine on women in science

500 Women Scientists “The mission of 500 women scientists is to serve society by making science open, inclusive, and accessible”

Request A Scientist – an offshoot of 500 Women Scientists, lists over 9000 women scientists

Kid World Citizen – Getting kids interested in STEM   Twitter

ScienceGrrl  celebrating women in science; Titter account

For Women in Science – Twitter acc of women empowering women in science-STEM; website Fondation L’oreal

STEM Ambassadors – Volunteers helping to bring STEM to life

 AI Forward: 
Your Future, Faster What is AI? A look at possibilities and prospects

Federal Student Aid US federal government financial aid options to help pay for school, including grants and loans.

Where Women Study STEM

Women in STEM

STEM careers

Coding to young minds

What is a STEM Degree

Becoming a Data Scientist

Online Master’s in Machine Learning

Women in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Degree Programs

Navigating a Path to Engineering Management