Articles

By the time I reached college, I had long written off considering a career in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) because I didn't think I excelled in those subjects. But looking back, I never really experienced STEM concepts in-depth or learned about the career possibilities in these fields.

ASQ Education Division Chair Cindy P. Veenstra discusses the current participation of women in engineering degrees and recommends best practices for attracting more young women to science and engineering careers.

In an article by University of Wisconsin-Stout faculty members Brenda S. Puck and Wendy R. Stary, read about STEPS for Girls, a program that has operated for nearly 16 years and is designed to immerse girls in STEM experiences at an early age to help attract them to STEM careers in the future.

In this article, Lynn Ziegler, Kris Nairn, Jim Crumley, Pam Bacon and Sarah Yost, professors at the College of St. Benedict and St. John's University in Minnesota, discuss the Math, Physics, Computer Science Research Scholars (MapCores) program, developed to encourage and recruit women into STEM fields.

This video features young women scientists and engineers who wowed President Obama and the nation at the White House Science Fair in February.

Listen to Northeast Public Radio stories about fascinating women working and learning in STEM fields, and learn about programs and practices throughout the United States designed to broaden the participation of women in STEM.

According to this article published by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration, women are vastly underrepresented in STEM jobs and among STEM degree holders, leaving an untapped opportunity to expand STEM employment in the United States.

This Slate article reports new research might have an explanation for the stubborn gender gap in STEM fields: The messages we take in about our gender—such as the old refrain that girls aren't as good as boys at science—can influence the way we perform.

This article by the Community College Times outlines the key factors for recruiting and retaining women in STEM programs.

This paper published by the American Association of University Women explores the reasons why a gender gap exists between men and women in STEM.

According to this Feminist Press Under the Microscope blog, mentors play critical roles in the success and trajectory of STEM careers. Women in STEM particularly benefit from mentors. The mentoring process helps deconstruct the idea that successful STEM careers are unachievable.

This article in Michigan Engineer, a University of Michigan publication, tells the stories of 21 Michigan engineering alumni, students and faculty who are achievers and leaders—and also women.

Read this issue of the National Academy of Engineering's The Bridge, which is devoted to improving the way engineers tell their stories, and engage and mentor young people so they can take on the challenges of making a difference as engineers of the future.