As five women who want to continue to pursue STEMrelated fields after high school, we’ve experienced our fair
share of predominantly male STEM classes and clubs. This disproportionate gender balance in these environments can often discourage women looking to pave their way in a traditionally non-female career path. We see evidence of this as membership, specifically that of girls, declines quite significantly in clubs such as Math is Cool and Science Olympiad following the transition from middle to high school.
share of predominantly male STEM classes and clubs. This disproportionate gender balance in these environments can often discourage women looking to pave their way in a traditionally non-female career path. We see evidence of this as membership, specifically that of girls, declines quite significantly in clubs such as Math is Cool and Science Olympiad following the transition from middle to high school.
That’s where we come in. We are proud to present our organization, Sisters in STEM (SiS). Simply put, SiS is an environment where female students are encouraged to explore the multitude of pathways within STEM disciplines. Offering our support to students starting from middle school all the way to high school, we hope to increase the number of girls participating in STEM classes and clubs by creating a community for girls where they feel included, welcome, and supported in the STEM world.
Since our establishment, we have already created a SiS chapter here at Central Valley High School and are 20 members strong and growing. Our high school chapter has also received the recognition of an international organization, Women in STEM, with a few of our members being ambassadors to the organization. We have even received administrative approval to offer sessions at two local middle schools so that female middle schoolers interested in pursuing STEM can remain as engaged as possible leading up to high school. Additionally, as a continuation of