In 2021, among people ages 18 to 74, women made up about half of the U.S. population but only one-third of the STEM workforce, according to the National Science Foundation.
The Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. is hoping to empower female students to give these careers a closer look.
A total of 114 fifth and sixth grade girls from BCSC elementary schools participated in this year’s Girl Up! event at Columbus North High School on Oct. 20, said curriculum specialist for STEM initiatives Davida Harden.
“The Girl Up! Event is always a fun and interactive evening for our students, our high school student mentors, our teachers, and our volunteers,” she told The Republic. “The evening is a high energy event where the girls leave feeling empowered and excited about futures available to them in STEM careers. C4 administrators and teachers are excited to get to meet, interact and discuss the possibilities with the younger students concerning the STEM related classes they have available once they arrive at the high schools; thus increasing the college and career readiness of our students.”
The night included a STEM fair presented by Cummins, Inc. and Columbus Robotics, and rotations where students could learn about a variety of subjects. These included architecture, criminal justice, culinary arts, engineering, fashion and design, graphic design, health care and welding.
Fifty-five high school ambassador students helped with the event, modeling skills for the activities that fifth- and sixth-graders participated in.
“This modeling by someone who ‘looks like them’ has a positive impact on the young girls’ perception of what they are able to do,” Harden said. “Many female high school students currently in non-traditional classes refer to their experience in the Girl Up! event as the spark that opened their eyes and mind to exploring a career in a STEM field.”
In addition to student ambassadors, 40 BCSC teachers, administrators and paraprofessionals helped with the event. Community partners included Cummins, the Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation, Columbus Robotics, the Sunrise Rotary Club of Columbus and the Tony London Company.
Carla Clark photos | For The Republic
