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Graphical Abstract
Abstract
Innovation and progress in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce is critical to the growth of the United States in the global economy (CitationNRC 2007). Men are more likely to pursue a degree in STEM fields, with almost 27% of malef college freshmen planning to major in STEM compared to only 8% of female freshmen in 2014 (CitationNational Science Board 2016). While women comprise half of the U.S. workforce, they are underrepresented in STEM, with many STEM fields reporting fewer than 25% female employees (CitationNSF 2016). Young Black and Hispanic women, as well as those from low socioeconomic upbringings (low socioeconomic status refers to those who qualify for government-sponsored assistance programs), are less likely to cultivate and maintain an interest in STEM compared to their peers (CitationSaw, Chang, and Chan 2018). While there was a 4.8% growth in participation of minority women in STEM from 1996 to 2016 (CitationNSF and NCSES 2019), gender gaps in engineering and the natural sciences grew larger between 2000 and 2015, especially among African Americans. The proportion of bachelor’s degrees awarded in engineering and natural sciences to African American women declined from 2000 to 2015 (CitationNSF and NCSES 2019). The middle school years are identified as a critical period to engage young women in STEM and expose them to STEM careers, as studies have shown that during this time period, confidence in STEM decreases despite displaying similar abilities to male peers (CitationHorting 2016).
Supplemental Material
Author Contributions
Sarah Rhodes-Ondi ([email protected]) is community stewardship coordinator of the Sea Turtle Conservancy at the Barrier Island Sanctuary in Melbourne Beach, Florida.
Maryam Ghadiri ([email protected]) is a postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Community and Citizen Science at University of California, Davis, in Davis, California.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Sarah Rhodes-Ondi
Sarah Rhodes-Ondi ([email protected]) is community stewardship coordinator of the Sea Turtle Conservancy at the Barrier Island Sanctuary in Melbourne Beach, Florida.
Maryam Ghadiri
Maryam Ghadiri ([email protected]) is a postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Community and Citizen Science at University of California, Davis, in Davis, California.