Self-Assessment Questions:

• How can you support girls or young women in your community who might be interested in STEM but feel discouraged or unsure of their potential?
• What steps can you take to challenge stereotypes or gender norms in the way you encourage others to pursue careers in STEM?
• Can you recall a time when someone (a counselor, mentor, or teacher) helped you see a potential in yourself that you hadnt recognized before? How did that impact your goals?
• Have you experienced or witnessed gender bias in career advice, whether in STEM or other fields? How did that influence your decision-making or the decisions of others?
• What are some strategies you can use to counteract gender biases when giving or receiving career advice?
• Have you had female role models in STEM who inspired you? How did their stories or achievements impact your perception of what is possible for you?

References:

National Girls Collaborative Project. (2020). Girls in STEM: Overcoming the barriers and challenges. National Girls Collaborative Project. Retrieved from https://ngcproject.org

Beede, D. N., Julian, T. A., Langdon, D. W., McKittrick, G., Doms, M., & Schweitzer, M. (2011). Women in STEM: A gender gap to innovation (ESA Issue Brief No. 04-11). U.S. Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration.  https://www.commerce.gov

Cheryan, S., Ziegler, S. A., Montoya, A. K., & Jiang, L. (2017). Why are some STEM fields more gender balanced than others? The role of social predictors of gender disparities in STEM. Psychological Bulletin, 143(1), 1–35. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000052

Girls Who Code. (2023). Our mission and impact. Girls Who Code. Retrieved from https://girlswhocode.com

Slaton, A. E. (2017). The STEM Gap: Why Girls and Women Aren’t as Interested in STEM Careers.  https://www.theatlantic.com

Women in Technology International (WITI). (2021). Shattering the stereotypes: Gender diversity in STEM fields. WITI. https://www.witi.com

Tanenbaum, E. (2019). How to encourage young girls to pursue STEM careers. The New York Times.  https://www.nytimes.com

National Science Foundation (NSF). (2021). Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: 2021. National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES). Moss-Racusin, C. A., Dovidio, J. F., Brescoll, V. L., Graham, M. J., & Handelsman, J. (2012). Science faculty's subtle gender biases favor male students. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(41), 16474–16479. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1211286109

MentorNet. (2023). Connecting young women to STEM professionals: The importance of mentorship. MentorNet.  https://www.mentornet.net 

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Have you ever had a mentor or role model? If so, how did they influence your path or decisions?
• What qualities do you think are most important in a mentor?
• How do you think mentorship could help you achieve your academic or career goals in STEM?
• What challenges do you think girls often face when entering STEM fields? How can mentorship help overcome these challenges?
• How can you start building a support system or network of mentors today, even while still in school?
• What are some ways you can be a mentor or role model for others, even as a student?
• How do you envision mentorship impacting your future career? What would an ideal mentoring relationship look like to you?
• Do you think peer-led mentorship programs can be just as effective as those led by professionals? Why or why not?
• How could you participate in or start a peer mentorship program at your school to help other girls in STEM?
• How can you continue to develop the skills necessary to succeed in STEM, both independently and with the help of mentors?
• After watching this video, what are your next steps in seeking out mentorship or becoming a mentor to others?

References:

Thompson, S. L. (2015). Mentoring Women in STEM: Exploring the Importance of Gender-Specific Mentoring for Women in STEM Fields. Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering, 21(2), 99-118. 
https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/jwm-2015-0036/html

Allen, J. A. S., & Johnson, R. L. (2014). The Role of Mentoring in Advancing Women in STEM Fields. Journal of Educational Leadership, 24(1), 35-52. 
https://www.jstor.org/stable/43187225

Williams, J., & Stanley, M. L. (2016). Peer Mentoring in STEM Education: A Tool for Promoting Retention of Women. STEM Education Review, 3(4), 23-38. 
https://www.jstor.org/stable/26843534

Bennett, J. L. (2019). Mentorship in STEM: Empowering the Next Generation of Women Leaders. Women in STEM Journal, 8(2), 111-124. 
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2053041719866208

Girls Who Code. 
https://girlswhocode.com/

Black Girls Code. 
https://www.blackgirlscode.com/

Women in Engineering Programs at Purdue University. 
https://www.purdue.edu/wiep/

National Girls Collaborative Project. 
https://ngcproject.org/

STEMconnector. 
https://stemconnector.com/

Women in STEM Mentoring and Networking Programs. 
https://www.wisemano.org/ 

Welcome to our discussion forum on fostering industry partnerships to support female STEM students!

1.Collaborating with Local STEM Organizations, Companies, and Universities

Collaboration between educational institutions and industry leaders is crucial in creating opportunities, breaking barriers, and inspiring the next generation of women in STEM. Let's explore ideas on how to propose and establish these valuable partnerships.

That’s a great strategy for boosting female representation in STEM

1. Partnering with Local Businesses for Internships and Mentorship:  

• Reach out to local companies in tech, engineering, and other STEM fields, and propose internship programs specifically for female students. This could help students gain hands-on experience early on, which is invaluable for their career paths.
• Set up mentorship networks where female students can be paired with women professionals in STEM. This could foster guidance, provide inspiration, and create networking opportunities.

2. Organizing Workshops and Field Trips:  

• Collaborate with businesses, universities, or research institutions to host workshops where students can engage in activities that directly align with current industry trends or breakthrough technologies.
• Arrange for field trips to local labs, tech hubs, or engineering sites to give students a firsthand look at the work environment and meet women working in those industries. This will give them tangible insights into potential career paths.

3. Developing Joint Research Projects or Innovation Challenges:  

• Organize challenges or competitions, like hackathons or innovation tournaments, where female students can form teams and tackle real-world problems. Having female students take the lead in such projects could encourage more confidence and visibility.
• Work with universities or local research centers to co-develop research projects that focus on solving industry problems, providing an opportunity for students to contribute to cutting-edge work.

2. Organizing Career Fairs and STEM Expos

That sounds like a fantastic approach to both inspire and connect students with opportunities! Here's how you can take these ideas to the next level:

1. Hosting Career Fairs Focused on Female Representation in STEM:

• Ensure that the event highlights companies actively working towards gender diversity in STEM. Collaborate with organizations that have initiatives or programs aimed at increasing female participation in science and technology fields.
• Provide resources like resume workshops or interview coaching specifically tailored for young women looking to break into these industries.
• Offer a mix of traditional booths and more informal networking spaces where students can have one-on-one conversations with recruiters and professionals.

2. Inviting Female Leaders in Science and Technology to Speak and Network:

• Curate a list of inspiring women leaders from different STEM sectors to speak at the event, from CEOs to researchers and innovators. These role models can share their personal stories, struggles, and triumphs in their respective fields.
• Set up networking sessions after their talks, allowing students to ask questions and build relationships with these influential figures. You could also create mentorship pairings or follow-up programs after the event.
• Consider having an “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) panel or roundtable discussion with the guest speakers to foster a more interactive, intimate experience.

3. Showcasing STEM Careers Through Interactive Demonstrations and Panel Discussions:

• Invite companies, universities, and organizations to set up live demonstrations of STEM innovations—think robotics, AI, renewable energy solutions, or interactive coding sessions. This could spark interest and curiosity among students who might not yet realize how accessible and exciting STEM careers can be.
• Offer diverse panel discussions focusing on different STEM fields—such as engineering, data science, and environmental sciences—with a strong emphasis on how women are shaping these industries. Ensure the panels are diverse in terms of career stages, from students to established professionals.
• Incorporate hands-on activities during the event, like mini-workshops or STEM-building challenges, that attendees can participate in. This helps to break down barriers and makes STEM more approachable.

It would be helpful to also offer specific support or programming for attendees after the career fair, like internships or follow-up networking events.

3. Engaging Industry Representatives for Diversity Advocacy

These are powerful initiatives that could have a big impact on both immediate opportunities and long-term cultural shifts in STEM fields. 

Here's how you could build on each of these ideas:

1.Encouraging Companies to Create Scholarship and Funding Opportunities for Female STEM Students:

• Partner with corporations to set up targeted scholarships for female students in STEM. This could include specific scholarships for different age groups or academic levels, such as for high school students pursuing STEM-focused programs or for university students studying engineering, computer science, etc.
• Ensure that the scholarships not only cover tuition but also provide mentorship opportunities, internships, or paid research opportunities to encourage a holistic approach to supporting these students.
• Advocate for companies to match scholarships with paid internships or co-op programs, giving students practical, hands-on experience that complements their education.

2. Facilitating Industry Roundtables on Diversity in STEM Workplaces:

• Host roundtable discussions with industry leaders, HR representatives, and diversity officers focused on the importance of gender diversity in STEM workplaces. These sessions could cover how companies can create more inclusive hiring practices, how they can offer more support to women already in the field, and how they can foster an inclusive company culture.
• Encourage companies to share best practices and challenges they've faced in promoting diversity within their organizations, and provide opportunities for networking and collaboration among the representatives.
• Make these roundtables open to students as well, allowing them to learn from industry experts, gain insights into the corporate world, and potentially ask questions about career paths.

3. Promoting Corporate Sponsorship of School STEM Programs and Clubs:

• Encourage local and national companies to sponsor STEM clubs or after-school programs at schools, specifically those targeting female students. This could include funding for equipment, events, or even STEM-related field trips and workshops.
• Corporate sponsorship could extend beyond financial support. For instance, companies could provide speakers, mentors, or materials that help expand the curriculum and opportunities for female students.
• Facilitate partnerships between STEM companies and schools to offer real-world learning experiences such as lab tours, career talks, or collaborative projects. By engaging in these initiatives, companies can directly impact the development of future female leaders in STEM.

It will be useful to also create a platform where students could apply for these scholarships and internships directly, or perhaps a mentorship directory to connect them with industry leaders.

Discussion Questions:

• What successful industry partnerships have you seen or participated in that support women in STEM?
• How can we encourage companies to invest in diversity-focused STEM initiatives?
• What challenges do we face in establishing these partnerships, and how can we overcome them?
• Do you have any specific ideas or proposals that could help strengthen the connection between female STEM students and industry leaders?
• We encourage you to share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas on this topic. Let’s work together to create stronger industry partnerships that empower female STEM students!

References

National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP):

National Girls Collaborative Project. (n.d.). About NGCP.  https://ngcproject.org

Society of Women Engineers (SWE):

Society of Women Engineers. (n.d.). SWE Mission and Vision. https://swe.org

National Science Foundation (NSF) Reports on Diversity in STEM:

National Science Foundation. (2020). Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering. NSF 20-304. https://www.nsf.gov/statistics

American Association of University Women (AAUW):

American Association of University Women. (2020). The Simple Truth about the Gender Pay Gap. https://www.aauw.org

McKinsey & Company Reports on Diversity:

McKinsey & Company. (2020). Diversity Wins: How Inclusion Matters. https://www.mckinsey.com

Girls Who Code:

Girls Who Code. (n.d.). Our Mission.  

Code.org: https://girlswhocode.com

Code.org. (n.d.). Our Mission. https://code.org

Corporate Diversity Initiatives (Example: Google, Microsoft, Intel): https://about.google/diversity/

Google. (2020). Diversity Annual Report.  

Microsoft. (2020). Diversity and Inclusion Report.  

Intel. (2020). Diversity in Technology.

This discussion forum is dedicated to exploring ways to break down barriers that prevent women from pursuing and thriving in STEM careers. By sharing ideas and strategies, we can develop an effective mentorship program to support young women and girls in STEM fields.

1. Addressing Stereotypes in STEM

Stereotypes, such as the "male engineer" or "female teacher" norms, discourage young girls from considering STEM careers. How can we change these perceptions?

• Promote diverse role models in STEM through media and educational materials Awareness Campaigns: Create educational materials and campaigns that highlight the achievements of women in STEM fields, showcasing role models who have overcome stereotypes. These could be shared in schools, universities, and through media channels to shift perceptions about what women can do in these careers.
• Panel Discussions and Guest Speakers: Include women STEM professionals who can speak about their experiences in challenging stereotypical expectations. These discussions can help students recognize that careers like engineering and computer science aren’t “male” professions, just as nursing or teaching aren’t solely “female.”
• Mentorship Pairing: Pairing mentees with female STEM professionals can help break down stereotypes and offer real-world insight into navigating these perceptions. Mentors can offer advice on how to challenge stereotypes within academic and professional settings
• Encourage female students to participate in STEM activities from an early age.
• Engage parents and educators in discussions about gender biases in career choices. 

2. Building Girls’ Confidence in STEM

Many girls lack confidence in their STEM abilities due to societal messaging and lack of support. What strategies can we use to boost their confidence?

• Implement hands-on STEM programs and competitions designed for girls.

Providing girls with opportunities for hands-on learning through workshops, labs, and project-based activities builds practical confidence. Programs like coding camps or engineering challenges allow them to apply concepts in real-world scenarios.

• Provide positive reinforcement and showcase female STEM leaders.  

Encourage girls to embrace challenges and celebrate small wins. Creating an environment where girls are encouraged to ask questions and experiment without fear of failure can help them see mistakes as learning opportunities rather than barriers

• Creating Supportive Networks:  

Encourage collaboration over competition, especially in group projects. By creating supportive, non-judgmental networks where girls can seek advice and learn from each other, we can help build a more confident generation of women in STEM

• Foster a growth mindset by teaching that skills can be developed with effort. 

3. Combating Workplace Biases

Even after entering the field, women face biases in hiring, promotion, and workplace culture. How can we better prepare young women for professional challenges in STEM?

• Offer mentorship programs connecting students with female STEM professionals.
• Teach negotiation skills and strategies to navigate workplace bias.
• Advocate for inclusive policies within STEM organizations.
• Training on Biases and Advocacy: Provide mentorship on how to recognize and combat biases in the workplace, such as unconscious gender biases in hiring or promotion. This can involve role-playing scenarios, workshops on negotiation skills, and understanding systemic barriers.
• Empowerment Through Knowledge: Equip mentees with the tools to advocate for themselves in professional settings. Topics could include understanding salary negotiations, setting boundaries, and identifying career advancement opportunities despite biases.
• Networking and Exposure to Diverse Workplaces: Create opportunities for young women to interact with diverse professionals in STEM, including men, women, and people from underrepresented groups. This exposure helps break down assumptions about who belongs in the STEM space and fosters a more inclusive mindset. 

Mentorship Program Ideas

To help support young women in STEM, a mentorship program could include:

• Pairing students with mentors who provide career guidance and support.
• STEM career workshops featuring successful women in the field.
• Networking opportunities with industry professionals.
• Confidence-building activities such as coding bootcamps or engineering challenges.
• What other ideas do you have for overcoming barriers and supporting women in STEM? Share your thoughts below!

References:

Dasgupta, N., & Stout, J. G. (2014). Girls and Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics: STEMing the Tide and Broadening Participation in STEM Careers. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 1(1), 21-29.

National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2020). Promising Practices for Addressing the Underrepresentation of Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine: Opening Doors. The National Academies Press.

Microsoft & KRC Research. (2018). Closing the STEM Gap: Why STEM Classes and Careers Still Lack Girls and What We Can Do About It.

Cheryan, S., Ziegler, S. A., Montoya, A. K., & Jiang, L. (2017). Why Are Some STEM Fields More Gender Balanced Than Others? Psychological Bulletin, 143(1), 1-35.

UNESCO (2017). Cracking the Code: Girls' and Women's Education in STEM. 

Additional Resources

Participants are encouraged to explore additional tools and programs, such as:

• The National Girls Collaborative Project, which offers resources and networking opportunities to support STEM initiatives.
• Online career guidance platforms like STEM Careers and Science Buddies.
• Partnerships with organizations like Girls Who Code and Women in STEM Initiatives. 

Interactive Components

• Career Pathways Exploration: Participants create a roadmap of potential STEM careers for female students, incorporating diverse options.
• Mentorship Program Design: Participants outline a mentorship initiative for connecting female students with STEM professionals.
• Partnership Proposal Development: Learners draft a plan to collaborate with local businesses, universities, or organizations to promote STEM careers for girls.