I really like your program Katie - we are working on increased diversity in STEM too and have an app to show kids diverse role models first hand. Would love your opinion on our project - http://stemforall2017.videohall.com/presentatio.... I wonder if you have enough time in yet to see how things have moved toward your goal of 20% enrollment? Also - do you see any trends in what programs/focus areas that females are most interested in? Thanks and keep up the great work!

Hi Laura,

Thanks for reaching out!  Having just started last September we are very early in our project.  Most of the students who joined us on tours were in either 10th or 11th grade, so it will be a while before we see our full impact.  We have had four female students who participated in the tour enroll in programs at the College for next fall, and the feedback from students has been positive.

Katie

Having worked to increase female participation in trade and technical careers over the years, I applaud your work.  Do the industry reps keep in contact with the partner schools and students?  It seems that sustained  contact could provide for a stronger pathway to ensure retention of female students.   

I think Vivian's question about on-going communication is spot on in terms of longer term impact. I was also wondering about opportunities for internships, job shadowing, and/or cooperative learning experiences that combine high school credit with some preliminary hands on training. Along these lines, I wonder if the courses that the women choose to enroll in at the high school will change over time, with more of them taking classes that prepare them green collar careers.

This seems very exciting and important work--congrats. Curious how you interface with the schools. Are all 10th and 11th grade girls involved? Only some? Part of a course int he science department, or somewhere else?

Establishing and sustaining mentoring programs that are meaningful for both mentors are mentees can be difficult especially when students are assigned to mentors and mentors do not receive training on how to form a strong relationship with mentees. What challenges have you anticipated and what strategies are you considering to address them?

I work with teachers to engage more students especially females in STEM subjects.  I wonder if this can be brought to elementary and middle school students before they make up their mind that STEM content is not for girls.  Sometimes by high school they have made decisions that make it hard for them to be prepared for these careers when they graduate.