Women in STEM: How to increase the numbers?

Tiffany Thomas
Faculty Mentor: James A. Ejiwale
Department of Industrial Systems and Technology
Jackson State University
 Research Questions
• What can Historically Black Colleges and Universities do to ensure African
American women will have success in STEM education?
• How can teachers/professors engage females to have their full potential when in
STEM courses?
• Which strategies will help for increasing degree attainment in STEM?
• What challenges stand in the way for women to have careers in STEM?
• Why are there so few African American women in STEM related careers?
• How can the United States help by involving young girls in STEM?
 Hypothesis
• It is hypothesized that women will go through many challenges throughout their life of pursuing a
STEM career.
• The main challenge will be identifying which career choice they will like to go into.
• While this may pose more problems in obtaining your degree, women in STEM and related careers
should know the importance of researching on available concerns that may fall in line with your
interests.
• Furthermore, it is important that you are aware of certifications when it comes to your career
choice.
 Methodology
• I will be conducting a descriptive qualitative research study.
• In my study, I will survey and interview African American women professors at
Jackson State University that have earned their doctoral degrees in Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
• I will also interview undergraduate students pursuing their bachelor’s degree in
STEM education and other related careers.
• After finding my results out, I will compare and contrast the answers and design a
chart. The chart will specify how likely or unlikely the questions related to that
particularly candidate is of best fit.
 Introduction
• What is the history behind STEM?
• How to increase the number of women in STEM disciplines and careers?
• How can HBCU’s influence African American women to pursue careers in STEM?
• What are the top ten HBCU’s that influence STEM education?
• Which challenges hinder women from straying away from STEM careers?
• Which strategies can encourage women that STEM education can benefit them
immensely?
• Conclusion
• References
 History of STEM
• STEM is an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering
and Mathematics.
• When taught in school, STEM education uses an interdisciplinary,
hands-on approach that relates to real-world applications.
• Historically, the United States has been a leader in STEM disciplines –
but we mostly struggle to maintain an edge. The National STEM
Foundation, a nonprofit organization supports and promotes STEM
education, says our nation’s technological innovation is in jeopardy. We
face a worker shortage across all STEM disciplines, especially the
advanced/high technology manufacturing sector.
How to increase the number of women
in STEM disciplines and careers?
• At a young age, parents should introduce their girls to STEM workshops, so the kids
can at least have feelings if they like STEM.
• There should be more advertising about women in STEM education and other related
careers to give these young girls role models as they grow and decide on what they
would like to major in.
• In college, women professors should teach classes, so that can impact younger adults
that are pursing education in STEM.
• Increase the gender gap, by exposing young girls to specialize in things that is socially
agreed upon to be gender appropriate so when they grow up are more into gender
specific occupations.
 How can HBCU’s influence African American
women to pursue careers in STEM?
• As the numbers increase for African American students entering HBCU’s and
community colleges, they are now starting to realize how important they are to
society.
• A study conducted by Alan Hughes in 2012 focused on the experiences of seven
African American female community college transfer students majoring in STEM
education, as they transitioned into a HBCU.
• In 2012, Alan Hughes conducted a survey with Bayer Corporation. In this survey,
they polled 413 STEM department chair representatives to shed light on the
undergraduate environment in which today’s female and minority STEM students
make their career decisions.
• The study concluded that the decision needs to come from the highest position person
of that institution, which include trustees, regents, presidents, provosts, deans, and
department chair representatives.
 What are the top ten HBCU’s that influence
STEM education?
• #10 Folk Valley State University
• #9 Morgan State University
• #8 Prairie View A&M University
• #7 Norfolk State University
• #6 Alabama State University
• #5 Jackson State University
• #4 Howard University
• #3 Alabama A&M University
• #2 Florida A&M University
• #1 North Carolina A&T State University
 Which challenges hinder women from straying
away from STEM careers?
• Structural racism-A system in which public policies, institutional practices,
cultural representations, and other norms work in various ways, often reinforcing
ways that are directed towards racial group inequity.
• Sexism- prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination typically against women on the
basis of sex.
• Race-gender bias- unequal treatment in employment opportunity (such as
promotion, pay, benefits and other privileges) also expectations due to attitudes
based on the sex of an employee or group of employees.
• Lack of racial representation- encountering racial stereotypes, the stress of being
overcompensating, stress induced illness, discrimination in departmental culture,
and sexually harassment!
 Which strategies can encourage women that STEM
education can benefit them immensely?
• Role models
• Mentors
• Historically Black Colleges and Universities positive atmospheres (HBCU’s)
• Self-perceptions
• Romantic partners
• Constantly hearing information about STEM disciplines
• Career capital
 Interview Questions
(a.) Demographic Background
• 1. What is your age?
• 2. What is your race?
• 3. What is your gender?
• 4. What is your highest level of education?
• 5. What field are you specialized in?
 Interview Questions
• (b.) STEM related questions
• 1. What does STEM mean to you? Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics
• 2. What issues do you think are associated with women and/or women of color in
STEM fields/disciplines?
• 3. What do you think the United States needs to do to inspire more females, to
increase women to become more familiar with STEM fields?
• 4. How strongly do you agree with increasing women’s involvement in STEM
degrees? Please elaborate on your answer.
 Interview Questions
• c.) Personal questions associated with experiences to obtain degrees
• 1. What made you decide on the discipline you choose?
• 2. What has helped you be a more effective person in the field you choose?
• 3. What are some of your personal experiences that lead you to deciding on the
career you went into?
• 4. Can you talk a little bit about the people who influenced you to become the
person you are today?
Chart
 Conclusion
• In recent years, most STEM occupations were mainly dominated by
men.
• As time changes though, women are contributing more into being a
part of STEM occupations and related careers.
• Future STEM students will encounter challenges and have strategies to
learn from as they strive for the occupation they want.
• Do as much research as possible in order to finalize your decision on
whatever career choice you go into!
 References
• Barth, J., Chappetta, K., & Dunlap, S. (2016). The Influence of Romantic Partners on Women in
STEM Majors. Sex Roles, 75(3/4), 110-125. doi:10.1007/s11199-016-0596-z
• Herrmann, S. D., Adelman, R. M., Bodford, J. E., Graudejus, O., Okun, M. A., & Kwan, V. Y.
(2016). The effects of a female role model on academic performance and persistence of women in
STEM courses. Basic & Applied Social Psychology, 38(5), 258-268.
doi:10.1080/01973533.2016.1209757
• Perna, L. W., Gasman, M., Gary, S., Lundy-Wagner, V., & Drezner, N. D. (2010). Identifying
strategies for increasing degree attainment in STEM: lessons from minority-serving institutions.
New Directions for Institutional Research, 2010(148), 41-51. doi:10.1002/ir.360
• Perna, L., Lundy-Wagner, V., Drezner, N. D., Gasman, M., Yoon, S., Bose, E., & Gary, S. (2009).
The contribution of HBCU’s to the preparation of African American women for STEM careers: a
case study. Research in Higher Education, 50(1), 1-23. doi:10.1007/s11162-008-9110-y