Engaging industry professionals to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in out-of-school STEM education

Women comprise just 30 percent of the nation’s scientists and engineers; of those, only two percent are Black, with Hispanic women making up another two percent (National Science Foundation, 2015). Underrepresentation in STEM professions limits women’s economic mobility (Pew Research Center, 2018) and reduces our nation’s global competitiveness and growth from innovation (National Science and Technology Council, 2018). Homewood Science Center, serving Chicago’s diverse South Suburbs, delivers Girls STEAM Ahead, interventions addressing the issue of underrepresentation of women in STEM. The programs introduce students to STEM pathways by connecting them with female professionals. Women mentors have been shown to be a powerful force to help female students maintain confidence in their skills, feel a sense of belonging, and stay committed to personal and career goals in STEM (Dennehy and Dasgupta, 2017). Yet the majority of participants report limited access to female mentors. One student wrote, “I would love to meet more STEAM women and learn about their experiences. What I’ve seen in engineering has been male dominated. In my engineering class I’m the only girl, and the majority of kids in my internship this summer were male.” This program serves as a model for those aiming to reach any underserved population, such as students of color, students living in poverty, or students living in rural areas.