Developing Youth Through STEM
Women continue to be underrepresented in STEM careers. The Y can help change that reality by incorporating gender-equitable practices into its programming. We offer our afterschool and summer youth staff a companion training designed to help youth leaders understand the positive impact they can have by promoting gender equity in STEM.
Equity Isn't the Same as Equality
Ensuring gender equity requires intentional focus and commitment to elevating girls' participation to counterbalance the patterns that lead to the under-representation of women in STEM. Ensuring gender equity doesn’t just positively impact girls; it positively affects all youth.
- Intentionally calling on girls leads to calling on quiet boys.
- Calling on girls more often leads to more dominant boys learning to share.
- Running activities that intentionally engage girls leads to engaging all genders and interests.
Download this infographic Opens a new window
Fast Facts:
- Women make up half the total U.S. college-educated workforce, but only 29% of the science and engineering workforce. (National Science Board, 2016)
- Fewer than 1 in 10 employed scientists and engineers are minority women. (National Science Foundation, 2016)
- In mixed gender settings, girls are less likely to raise their hand or call out for a teacher’s attention. (Sadker & Sadker, 1986)
- Young girls are less likely to consider women "really, really smart". (Bian, Leslie & Cimpian, 2017)
Find your local Y and ask how your child can get involved with STEM.
