One of the most amazing parts of being a parent is introducing your kids to new concepts, ideas, and fields of study. Maybe it’s the geek in me, but I especially love it when I get to get my geek on with my girls. Our family is extremely active in teaching STEM (that’s science, technology, engineering, and math) skills to our own brood and the kids in our community. My husband runs a local robotics league which includes both our older kiddos and we encourage their STEM skills at home by including them in our own STEM projects. While my husband is a skilled and experienced computer programmer and engineer, I get to embrace my love of all things math and technology through this blog and my work.
I’m all too aware that women aren’t well represented in science, technology, and engineering fields, and knowing both my girls have a passion for STEM it’s something I hope they continue to embrace. My eldest (11) has a dream of becoming a fashion designer, but she plans to use a technology twist to her designs. Think Katy Perry at the Met Ball this year where fans and fashionistas alike loved her light up gown.
According to E Week supporter Barbara Rusinko, “In the US, women account for nearly 60 percent of college students, but fewer than one in five of these women are engineering students.” In order to make the dream she has (and the dreams of all the other little girls out there who love STEM) true we need to find ways to encourage more girls in engineering.
I’m thrilled to join my friend and MakerMom Kim Moldofsky for this week’s #STEMchat where we’ll be talking about Girl Power in engineering and Introduce a Girl To Engineering Day.
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day is an important initiative to help girls learn more about engineering and find those crucial role models and mentors. National Engineers Week has useful Girl Day information and resources, including some in Spanish. Find a 2013 Girl Day event near you, share some bling on your blog, read related books and join us to share your best ideas and favorite resources at the #EweekGD #STEMchat on Twitter Wednesday night, February 20, at 9 PM Eastern!
Twitter Party Details:
What: Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day #STEMchat
When: Wednesday, February 20 at 9 pm ET / 6 pm PT
Where: #EweekGD #STEMchat
Who: Here is the complete list of panelists:
- Jennifer Wright, @RocketScientist, a Lockheed Martin engineer, STEM mentor, world traveler, and #NASASocial alum.
- DeeAnn Turpin, @BioEnggCat13, a member of 2011’s inaugural class of New Faces of Engineering, College Edition and student of Biological Systems Engineering at Kansas State University.
- Sara Hawkins, @Saving4Someday, is a STEM-loving mom to one precocious tween girl who loves all things STEM, violin, glitter, tape, and making.
- Leticia Barr, @TechSavvyMama, is a mom of 2 elementary aged children who uses her experience as a former teacher and technology specialist for a large DC Metro to champion STEM learning in her own kids while providing tips for her TechSavvyMama.com readers on integrating STEM topics at home. She also shares tech savvy goodness at her Tech Savvy Parents column on Parents.com.
- Shelly Kramer, @ShellyKramer, is the founder + CEO of V3 Integrated Marketing. She is a brand strategist serving clients in both the B2B and B2C space. She’s also the mother of four daughters and passionate about STEM education and opportunities for girls.
- Kelly Whalen @CentsibleLife, is a blogger, social media consultant, and tech-loving mom of four kids, some of whom are active in the VEX robotics league.
See you there!
Kelly
Disclosure: I am a compensated panelist for the Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day #STEMchat.
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