Why should girls explore STEM?
For Jennifer Mallette, a data scientist at International Business Machines, or IBM, the answer is clear. Why shouldn’t they? From the plethora of practical applications of STEM skills to the need for diversity within STEM fields, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math should be open to all, especially young women.
According to the National Science Foundation, while women make up about 48% of the general workforce, they make up only 35% of STEM workers. Where does this problem begin? Mallette believes that it starts young- even before children enter the classroom.
“The toys given to boys versus girls toys make you think in different ways,” says Mallette.
Where a young boy might be given a toolset or a set of blocks, a young girl might be given play food, or a doll. Young children are drawn to mimic the world of the adults around them, but they have to be shown what they are capable of. If a girl is never encouraged to build or fix, she will never gain the skills she needs to do so. It becomes a vicious cycle.
Historically, girls have been pushed away from STEM fields because of notions that men are more naturally inclined towards them. These stereotypes are inherently sexist; however, they come to life when adults and educators treat children differently based on gender.
“We see a lot of subtle bias. Say a math teacher is trying to pick out [students] for an advanced program and not realizing that a lot of the initial components might be there for a female student, she just might need that extra push to be at that same level.” Mallette argues.
This kind of unequal treatment isn’t as noticeable as outright discrimination, which makes it harder to address. Women in STEM workplaces face underhanded discrimination and are constantly underestimated. This is why it’s especially important to encourage young girls to explore STEM.
“I think the reason why I always felt a little more drawn to [STEM] in general was that I had some exposure from a young age. My dad is also an engineer, and he encouraged me to tackle different puzzles, learn how things work…” Mallette’s experience is a testament to immediate exposure to STEM. By being around a community that encouraged exploration in problem solving, her interests were not only allowed to exist, but to flourish.
At its core, STEM is about problem-solving. Science helps us be curious about the world around us. Technology is a tool that you can use to help solve problems. Engineering helps you think about problems from multiple angles, and in creative ways. Math is used in your daily life from calculating the tip on a bill to budgeting or doubling a recipe. STEM builds the foundational skills needed for other problems. Sometimes, you’ll use STEM principles in unexpected areas.
“The patterns that we see and identify in music match the patterns you’re trying to identify when you’re solving an engineering problem, and trying to pick up on things that you see on why an issue may be happening.” explains Mallette.
Introducing girls to STEM is even more important than just allowing girls to explore their interests. STEM sets up base knowledge that allows girls to succeed in any career. Every child should have an equal opportunity for high achievement, and STEM is an integral part of that. The internalized bias we have when it comes to STEM is incredibly glaring to young girls. When we eliminate our prejudice, we set girls up for brighter, better futures.
