COLUMBUS, Ohio — In an effort to address the gender gap in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), the Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland are leading a STEM initiative at their facility in Columbus, which officially opened in October and is now fully operational. Through workshops and programs, the organization is working to engage girls early and inspire future careers in STEM.
The initiative is part of a broader national push by the Girl Scouts of the USA to increase the representation of women in STEM fields. The organization has set a goal to put 2.5 million girls on the path to STEM careers this year.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women make up about 27% of the U.S. STEM workforce. Data shows that despite the progress over the years, women remain underrepresented across certain STEM fields, particularly in engineering and computer science.
Research also indicates many girls begin to lose interest in science and math by middle school, prompting increased emphasis on early intervention.
Tammy Wharton, president and CEO of the Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland, said the way STEM is presented to girls plays a critical role in whether they see a place for themselves in it.
“You might say to a boy, do you want to be an engineer? And he'd say, absolutely!” Wharton said. “We have to say to girls, do you want to save the world? Do you want to help build things that the community can use? Do you want to cure diseases?”
Jasmine Davis, a sixth grader and member of the Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland, said she hopes to become an obstetrician-gynecologist and one day own her own practice. She said she encourages girls to explore STEM and not be discouraged by the idea that it’s male-dominated, adding that “girls can do anything they want.”
Research shows barriers such as stereotypes, gender bias, lack of role models and cultural factors, also deter many girls from considering STEM fields.
Emma Kruis, a high school sophomore and member of the Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland, hopes to become a civil engineer. She said breaking through stereotypes is important. Kruis used to dislike math, influenced by the idea that it was a boys’ subject, but grew to love it after discovering its real-world applications. She organized a civil engineering event at Girl Scouts, where girls built and tested model bridges. She said she encourages girls to “try everything.”
Wharton said that a lack of awareness among adults is part of the problem, as many don’t consider certain fields as options for girls. She said the Girl Scouts are working to change that by teaching girls they can pursue careers in areas such as construction, welding and the automotive industry—fields that are represented by companies and organizations across the state.
As Ohio becomes a technology hub, with companies like Intel and Amazon expanding through data centers and other developments, Wharton said she hopes the Girl Scouts’ efforts will help prepare girls to contribute to their communities, while also helping to close both the gender and wage gaps.
“If we only have half the population represented, then our country cannot succeed in a way that we can if everybody's at the table,” Wharton said.
As the Girl Scouts continue to expand their STEM program, they hope exposure like this will build confidence, skills and a more equitable future in STEM.
Mercy Brannan-Smith, second grader and member of the Girl Scout of Ohio’s Heartland, said “You are yourself and nobody can tell you otherwise,” when asked about overcoming challenges.