GREEN, Ohio — Studies show only 16 percent of women who graduate college with engineering degrees actually go into the field. Experts believe the decline of women in STEM careers —those in science, technology, engineering and math —starts in middle school.
- Experts say the decline of women in STEM careers starts in middle school
- Green Middle School students were able to do hands-on experiments and learn from working engineers
- The opportunity is sponsored by Collins Aerospace and is aimed at showing girls they have a place in STEM careers
35 eighth grade girls from Green Middle School were selected to be part of the “Introduce a Girl to Engineering” program.
“I think it’s really fun to be here, especially because only so many girls got to go,” said eighth grader Alyssa Davis.
The opportunity is sponsored by global company Collins Aerospace and is aimed at showing girls they have a place in STEM careers.
“I was excited to learn about it and see if I spark any interest in something that I might wanna do later in life,” said student Alyssa Sasosky.
The girls currently take STEM classes at school, but this program allows them to be a little more hands-on.
“That flight simulation... it’s really sparked like maybe I could be a pilot someday, so we’ll see,” said Sasosky.
According to the Columbus-based organization Girls, STEM and Careers, there is a 26 percent decrease in confidence levels while girls are in middle school and a 15 percent decrease in girls who believe that they’re good at math and science.
“Like they love science until about 6th grade and then it goes away... lots of reasons but it’s because they can’t make a connection to the real world with it,” said Green Middle School STEM teacher Paula Meckler. “I don’t have to the words to say how awesome this has been. It’s just been incredible and I am so happy to see them enjoying it so much and working so hard and being so appreciative that they get this opportunity.”