WSTEM: THE WOMEN IN STEM GROUP

Francesca Catalano, Ph.D

Associate Dean, Math, Science and Engineering

Kankakee Community College

THE PROBLEM

http://curt-rice.com/2014/07/24/infographic-are-stereotypes-keeping-women-away-from-science/

THE PROBLEM

https://www.ncwit.org/infographic/3435

FOCUS ON THE SOLUTION –WHAT CAN I DO?

MISSIONS OF WSTEM –ENGAGE ALL POPULATIONS

• M1: Encourage young girls to math and science

• M2: Support university students as they train

within STEM disciplines

• M3: Reduce the leaky pipeline of women who are

established practitioners/faculty members

…. Solutions overlap!

M1: GIRLS AND MATH/SCIENCE WHAT HAPPENS IN 6TH GRADE?

• Loss of confidence and interest

• Girls are more relational

• Conformity

• Stereotypes/assumptions/expectations

http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/entry/A10852

M1: GIRLS AND MATH/SCIENCE WHAT CAN WE DO?

• Challenge any bias,

misconceptions and

stereotypes

• Engage insecurity

• Praise skills

http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/entry/A10852

M1: GIRLS AND MATH/SCIENCE CONNECT AND MENTOR

M1: WHAT HAS WSTEM DONE?

M1: GIRLS AND MATH/SCIENCE INTERVIEWS

M1: GIRLS AND MATH/SCIENCE OUTREACH

M1: GIRLS AND MATH/SCIENCE OUTREACH

M1: GIRLS AND MATH/SCIENCE NEWSLETTERS

M2: SUPPORTING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: ONE ON ONE RELATIONSHIPS

• Email from yesterday from a student officer who is changing her major to physics:

"You've helped me realize what I want to do with my life more than most anyone I've met and I thank you for it."

• Student in 2015 who flew in from Okinawa for graduation.

M2: SUPPORTING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: SEMINAR SERIES

• Alternative Careers for STEM graduates

• IT Seminar Series

• Wellness Seminar Series

M2: SUPPORTING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: SCIENCE ANNIVERSARY BLOG SERIES

M2: SUPPORTING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: OUTREACH

M2: SUPPORTING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: OUTREACH

M2: SUPPORTING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: RAISING SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS

M3: REDUCING THE LEAKY PIPELINE: BOOK CLUBS

M3: REDUCING THE LEAKY PIPELINE: SEMINARS/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Creating a Healthy Work/Life Balance

• Networking-- Building Relations for Success

• Jefferson County Middle School PD “STEMDay”

M3: REDUCING THE LEAKY PIPELINE OF WOMEN PROFESSIONALS

• Mentoring Circle

• Support professional women group outside of

STEM

ALL THREE MISSIONS:SOCIAL MEDIA

ALL THREE MISSIONS:SOCIAL MEDIA

• Twitter: @W_STEM @DrCatalano

• LinkedIn Group: @wSTEM

• Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wstem/

DO JUST ONE THING