This Charlotte nonprofit says STEM lacks women. Here’s how they’re addressing it.
A Charlotte nonprofit bent on inspiring more women to enter STEM fields will host a Tuesday event to celebrate the impact of those who already choose that path.
The second STEM Girls Change the World event, held at the Lowe’s Tech Hub in South End, looks to uplift women in science technology engineering and math careers — and show young girls there is a space for them in the field, says Sandy Marshall, founder and CEO of Project Scientist.
“Guests will get a really good glimpse into women in STEM from a national perspective as well as local leaders,” Marshall said.
Project Scientist started in 2011 with a goal to increase gender diversity in STEM, she said. Attendees will be able to hear women share their journeys, the obstacles they’ve overcame, and how they forged their own path in STEM. There will be a fireside chat and then the women in STEM panel, Marshall said.
Morgan Romano, an application engineer and Miss North Carolina USA, will be the emcee.
U.S. census data from 2019, shows only 27% of science and engineering professionals are women, despite making up 48% of all workers, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
The number represents an increase from the 26% women accounted for in the field in 2003, according to the National Science Foundation.
“When it comes to STEM roles in corporate America and beyond the female representation is not where it needs to be or where it should be,” said Sandra Quince, executive director at Paradigm for Parity, a coalition of business leaders addressing gender gaps in corporate leadership.
Quince, among panelists for Tuesday’s program, said events bring education, experience and exposure around what needs to be done for women and girls to be empowered in the STEM field. Her panel will discuss unconscious bias, how to prepare girls for STEM roles, and how to ensure future companies have inclusive environments.
It’s also important to show other roles in STEM outside of solely being a scientist for young girls, Quince said. Continuing to expose young girls to all roles and the women doing the work today can show them there are many paths.
Inspiring young girls, brings in more women and more diversity in thought and experiences, Jayshree Seth, chief science advocate at 3M, said.
“We know there are so many challenges ahead of us,” Seth, a speaker for the event, said. “We can’t come to the right solutions if we don’t have that diversity represented.”
This leads to more innovation. Growing up Seth didn’t think she had an interest in STEM . But her parents continued to encourage her.
“What I didn’t realize at that time is that what I wanted to do, which is to make the world a better place, is precisely what you can do in STEM careers,” Seth said. “We don’t talk about it enough.”
Because of how the STEM is field is discussed there is a lot of untapped potential, she said, adding the pandemic placed a spotlight on science.
“This is a great moment to hold these kind of events because the public recognizes the importance of science,” Seth said.
Want to go?
The event runs from 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Tuesday. Virtual tickets are free and available by registering for the livestream at www.stemgirlschangetheworld.com.
This story was originally published November 11, 2022 at 6:00 AM with the headline "This Charlotte nonprofit says STEM lacks women. Here’s how they’re addressing it.."
