Our nation is desperately seeking out the new generation of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) field workers in order to retain our historical preeminence in these fields. The Center on Education and the Workforce reports that by 2018 there will be eight million U.S. jobs available in STEM fields. The demand for STEM workers is strong due to rapidly growing industries as well as technology changes within these industries.
On Feb. 28, President Donald Trump signed two bills that will authorize NASA and the National Science Foundation to encourage women and girls to go into science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Inspiring the Next Space Pioneers, Innovators, Researchers, and Explorers Act or INSPIRE directs NASA to encourage women and girls to pursue careers in STEM fields. Through INSPIRE, NASA will also encourage women to pursue careers in aerospace. The Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship Act authorizes the National Science Foundation to support entrepreneurial programs aimed at women.
Business Insider reported a list of seven potential reasons as to why there are so few women in STEM careers. Reasons such as teasing, lack of encouragement and stereotyping are among a few of them. While that these fields are traditionally male-dominated, history has shown quite a few women have made significant contributions. The book turned film, “Hidden Figures,” is the incredible story of Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson and their contributions to the launch of astronaut John Glenn into space.
If Trump cannot encourage women and girls to flourish in STEM fields then perhaps Barbie can. Mattel has released a series of Barbies that encourages girls to engage in STEM studies. For example, there is Barbie Scientist Career Doll, complete with lab coat, goggles and a microscope. There is also a tech savvy Barbie. As a girl, I enjoyed playing with Barbie dolls, and I personally cannot think of a better way to encourage young girls to get excited about future careers in STEM research.
Beyond the government bills and the Barbie dolls, steps are being taken right here at UHCL to ensure the future of STEM careers. Just last year, UHCL received a new federal grant that will aid the school’s efforts to attract and support Hispanic and low-income students who wish to pursue STEM careers. UHCL was one of 14 schools in the state of Texas to receive this funding. In addition to this grant, UHCL will also break ground on a new STEM building March 31.
I am proud that our country will start to encourage, promote and recognize women in STEM fields. However, I am a little discouraged that our nation must pass a bill in order for women to be encouraged to pursue STEM careers. It all seems a bit outdated. Women have come a long way to hold a place in society that is equivalent to our male counterparts. On the other hand, we still encounter inequality, less pay and less opportunity, thus confirming the fact that while these bills seem outdated, sadly, they really are not. In fact, they are a huge win for women who wish to flourish in STEM fields.
Male or female, we need smart minds working in STEM fields. The generation gap is beginning to close as we start to say goodbye to some of the great minds who currently occupy these fields but are getting ready for retirement. Our country desperately needs more people who are excited and motivated to pursue careers in these fields if the U.S. is going to stay competitive as a world leader.
Excellent article. Very readable and to the point without leaving anything out. Our AAUW group gave STEM workshops to junior high girls “back in the day” so they’d be prepared to enter the best colleges and male-dominated professions easily. I often wish our group were large enough today to hold these again.