In our ever-evolving world of technology, the US continuously generates the latest i-devices, Google Glass and a plethora of other convenient knick-knacks. Our “land of opportunity” has powered forward through the eras offering more equality to all. Despite these advancements, it’s disappointing to note that women, half of our workforce, only encompass 25% of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers.

Interestingly enough, women in STEM industries earn an average of 33% more than women working in other fields.  STEM occupations also offer many job opportunities, contain a smaller gender wage gap, and pay higher salaries on average. With all these great benefits, why do women still seem to stray away from these fields? What’s holding them back?

“Girls may feel intimidated since the STEM field has been a male dominated area,” suggests Mrs. Mitchell, chemistry teacher at Ridge.

Subject areas of math and science have notoriously higher numbers of men than women, ranging from advanced classes and electives in high school to majors in college and, above all, the workplace. Stop by the robotics class and you’ll see what I’m talking about. An imbalance or lack of diversity can be uncomfortable and disheartening to females potentially interested in STEM related areas.

Although a variety of factors contribute to a girl’s interest in a particular subject, gender stereotypes and societal norms definitely have strong influences. Alicia Jen ’16 explains, “In the past, girls and women were excluded from higher education and high-skilled jobs. Although there have been obvious improvements towards equality, there still seems to be left-over stigma towards girls in STEM jobs.”

In addition to restrictive social stigma, the lack of prominent and celebrated female role models contributes to the low popularity of STEM jobs among women. Even in general, we see that peers influence each other. Jen further explains, “When girls see that few of their gender chose a STEM career, they are discouraged to pursue one themselves, creating a vicious cycle.”

So how do we break this vicious cycle?

In order to empower girls to pursue STEM careers, we’re going to have to address the roots of

the problem. Support and encouragement have to come at an early age, when the minds of children are still open to the world around them. Hopefully, by exposing girls to more science and math related activities and experiences early on in their lives, they will be more willing to consider working in STEM industries. It really starts with the social norms and culture of America. If we encourage studies in math and science as enthusiastically as we support sports, the popularity of STEM fields in general will skyrocket.

In the meantime, Cathy Chen ‘14 articulates that we need to “make it so that STEM is as accessible to girls as it is to boys,” through means such as “programs that have outreach to high school that would help by giving more time to develop interests before having to choose an area to focus in during college.”

Part of the reluctance of women entering STEM fields corresponds with the lack of prior experience in those areas, thus not generating any curiosity or interest for them. Although math and science are taught as core subjects in grade school, technology and engineering are neglected. At most, they are offered as electives.  Not to mention, the difficulty of the math and science classes that girls are exposed to rises exponentially as they progress through high school which can add another level of discouragement. So, we must take action to build curiosity for STEM in girls early on in their lives before they are swayed by gender stereotypes and tough courses.

A combination of more outreach programs and classes geared towards high school students, especially females, will foster more interest and encourage more girls to consider STEM as a career pathway. Girls currently pursuing STEM careers are the role models for the next generation of female “STEMers.”

As Mrs. Mitchell puts, “We need to be the people who inspire others.  We need to share our love of a subject or career and pass it on.”

By planting the seeds of curiosity now, passions for STEM will flourish in the future.