Although women make up about 50% of the global population, they represent only 28% of the workforce in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) -related occupations worldwide. Efforts are increasing to close this gap and encourage more women to pursue these careers. Thanks to events such as Engaging Girls in STEM, made available to female students by the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), these initiatives are beginning to make a significant difference.

Selected El Monte City School District (EMCSD) students had the incredible opportunity to meet with a network of ambassadors consisting of women working in various STEM careers. The event provided a unique platform for students to communicate their questions, comments, and concerns regarding STEM careers. They heard firsthand how these inspiring women decided to pursue their careers, what a typical day entails, and the challenges they overcame. Discussions were filled with valuable advice which motivated students to consider them as possible future career paths.

Our students were introduced to various ambassadors, including software engineers, system engineers, research scientists, extreme explorers, avionics manufacturing engineers, and much more. This interaction allowed the girls to see STEM as a vast world of opportunities across industries and interests. By hearing about the varied and impactful careers these women have, EMCSD students realized STEM fields are open to everyone, regardless of their specific interests or backgrounds.

The event featured hands-on experiences at a variety of interactive booths. These booths, hosted by companies and organizations such as Abbott, Public Works, California Science Center, Uplift Aerospace, UCLA Health, and many others, allowed students to dive deeper into STEM activities. The booths offered engaging materials and instructions for activities such as using VR headsets to explore new environments, building and launching model rockets, learning the basics of stitching on practice mats, analyzing animal teeth to identify species, and even extracting DNA from strawberries. One student shared, “The booth where you can test the strawberries’ DNA was my favorite!”

These interactive activities were designed not only to be fun but also to show students how science and technology come to life in real-world applications. The students were left with a lasting impression of what these fields can offer. A student shared her favorite part of the event, “I liked talking to the ambassadors about stuff like engineering, science, and NASA!”

Engaging Girls in STEM reinforced the idea that girls should not be intimidated by STEM. It encouraged them to believe that the world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is open to them. It helped to break down the barriers of the glass ceiling effect and reminded them that with persistence, curiosity, and passion, they can aim for careers as high as they desire in STEM. The day was not just an educational experience; it was an empowering one, setting the stage for a new generation of young women who will confidently take on the world of STEM.

This story written by Jocelyn Vazquez from the El Monte City School District