Girls need more STEM role models. Here’s what the Girl Scouts is doing about that

“Young girls need to see role models in whatever careers they may choose, just so they can picture themselves doing those jobs someday. You can’t be what you can’t see.” — Astronaut Sally Ride
For hundreds of years, women have made strides and discoveries in STEM (science, engineering, technology and math) fields, but their accomplishments have long gone overlooked and are only recently being brought to light. Films like the upcoming Hidden Figures and documentary Top Secret Rosies are needed today more than ever to highlight the contribution and struggle of women in science. Images like these are key to inspiring today’s girls into becoming the next generation of STEM leaders.
I see firsthand the impact a female scientist, engineer or computer scientist can have on the aspirations of our youth, in both my personal and professional life. From science fairs in high school to becoming a Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) scholar in college and now as STEM specialist at the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, I have had inspiring role models to support my journey through the STEM career pipeline and now I work toward creating those opportunities for girls. The ability to engage with a female astronaut or zoologist for a girl that dreams of space or talking to monkeys are the experiences that help that girl visualize her future — and that is the impact anyone can have as a role model. [Editor’s note: It’s an issue that’s risen to national prominence, with states like Delaware getting involved with a national women in tech mentorship program called Million Women Mentors.]
Over the past 15 years, Girl Scouts has been working to change the trend of women in STEM by offering a variety of opportunities for girls to discover their inner scientist or engineer through programs and partnerships with various organizations including Techbridge, FIRST Robotics and most recently, Netflix.
Here in Baltimore, Girl Scouts is bringing together local organizations to engage girls in science, technology, engineering, art, and math in the second annual Women in STEAM Festival, Girls STEAM Ahead. This year’s event is taking place Sunday, November 13 at The SEED School of Maryland and is open to both Girl Scouts and non-Girl Scouts (though families not affiliated with the Girl Scouts have to complete a registration form with the Girl Scouts first). It’s $25 for girls and $10 for parents.
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This year, architects and designers from the American Institute of Architects, chemical engineers from CoverGirl, computer scientists from the Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu and more will be engaging middle and high school girls in various hands-on activities to introduce girls to different careers in STEAM. Parents in attendance will have an opportunity to hear from these organizations about how they can further encourage their daughters’ interest in STEM and STEAM at home and in the community.
While role models are important to any young person, they play a large role in supporting girls and women in STEM. If you take a close look at the STEM career pipeline, you will see plenty of cracks where women choose to pursue different career fields or majors such as education or communications over STEM. But when women earn fewer STEM degrees, this trend isn’t due to lack of ability — it’s caused by bias, which the image of female role models helps dispel.
Mentorship was a key part of the WISE program I participated in during college, and opportunities like this exist throughout the country through organizations like the Society of Women Engineers or the American Women’s Medical Association. Now that I work on promoting STEM earlier in the pipeline for girls as young as elementary age, I see mentorship for middle and high school girls becoming more prevalent, and I’m lucky to be with an organization that is making strides for girls across the nation.