March 2015 Education


The Next Generation of Women in STEM


www.hamptonroadsmessenger.com Despite the dismal


The Hampton Roads Messenger 11


in STEM classes, where are women in STEM careers?


numbers,


things are changing, thanks in part to efforts by schools, companies, and non-profits like Girls Who Code, which is working to close the gender gap in the technology and engineering fields.


Girls in Engineering, Math and Science, or GEMS, are more common now in high schools, and they are helping


girls understand that they


can pursue careers in STEM despite the lack of women in the field. More girls are joining engineering, science, and math classes that they don’t need because they have a passion for the study.


Girls in Long Beach, like me, are


following careers in these and other male-dominated fields because of the encouragement we obtain from people around us.


BY KAREN MARIN (L to R) Long Beach high school juniors Alexandria Esquivias, Carley Washington, and Sache Cox


LONG BEACH, Calif. -- When you’re in high school, choosing a college major can be difficult. It wasn’t until late into my junior year that I decided to major in journalism with the aim of becoming a sports journalist.


Positions in journalism are


already shrinking daily, making it more difficult for me, as a woman, to walk into the male-dominated field of sports. But that won’t stop me from chasing my dream.


school, I find more and more of my female


That’s science,


And as I prepare to finish high peers similarly pushing the


career envelope, except when it comes to STEM.


technology,


engineering and math, fields that account for some of the fastest growing


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of software engineers


and most lucrative job opportunities today. Still, just one in seven engineers are women, while only about 10 percent


are female, according to Forbes. One of the most common


stereotypes I hear as to why there are so few women in STEM is that they excel at English and social sciences, while boys are good at math and science. Women are often still encouraged to pick “caring” careers like nursing, and boys are pushed to become scientists and doctors.


in, girls have


But in the classrooms I’ve been often


outperformed


boys in science and math. And it’s not just my classrooms, according to a study released earlier this year by the University of Missouri that surveyed 1.5 million 15-year olds worldwide.


Which begs the question, if women are doing better academically


Becoming a sports journalist is more than just following my passion for writing and sports. It also proves to other girls that they can become what they want to be despite the criticism. As women, we have to


break the


stereotype that we cannot do a “man’s job.”


VoiceWaves asked young women


in Long Beach why they chose their STEM major and what advice they have for others considering that path.


I’m going into the


Engineering and Mathematics fields. I’ve taken engineering


Electrical classes


throughout high school through a program called Project Lead the Way. I think [girls] avoid STEM majors because most of them are male dominant. Personally, I have not been [discouraged]


because I’m strong


headed. When I want something, I never quit, but throughout my high


Our Faith By Rev. Dr. Gregory Headen


is also an opportu- nity.


Every dilemma Baptism for


us is on the profes- sion of faith by the person that is bap- tized.


If one can-


not understand the meaning of baptism because he or she is too young and im-


mature, we do not baptize that person. It is also possible that one could be an adolescent and due to developmental and cognitive issues may still not be able to understand the simple matters of faith and personally accept Christ. In the case of little children, we prac- tice dedication of our children. As be- lieving parents or guardians, we bring our child or children to The Lord. We stand before the altar of The Lord and make commitments on the child’s behalf. This is not a game but a se- rious and solemn promise. Here we re-commit our own lives to The Lord and promise to bring up the child or children in the love and admonition of The Lord. The congregation takes a pledge to be an extended family by supporting the parents and child with encouragement, prayer, and whatever else The Lord gives us opportunity to do. We believe our children are cov- ered by the grace of God through our faith until they reach the age and ma- turity level to receive Christ for them- selves. We strongly encourage our young people to turn to The Lord and


by their own decision give him their hearts and be baptized. Young Danillo Goins presents us with a dilemma and an opportunity today. He is a teen- ager in years, but not in understand- ing.


His parents wanted him to be


baptized, but he cannot comprehend what baptism is and means. We could baptism him, but it would not be upon the profession of his own faith. The parents agree with this assessment. He has already been dedicated to The Lord by his parents. What can we do for Danillo that requires our faith as a people on his behalf. Rev. Carver and I made a visit to the home some months ago to meet with Danillo and his parents. God revealed something to me, and I shared it with the par- ents. Let’s have a special ceremony of anointing over Danillo and invite the entire church family to believe God for him. I shared my thoughts with Pastor C, and he confirmed it as well. Since that time, the Spirit has said anoint Ron and Angelica, his par- ents, and pray for them as well. So today, we invite all of you to release your faith for the Goins family. God has not promised me that he will do anything particular or out of the or- dinary today. I am led to anoint, lay hands, and pray. I am content to let God be God and do what He pleases. Our peace is in knowing that we have been obedient and that Danillo is cov- ered under the blood of Jesus.


His


future will continue to be in God’s hands.


school years, I’ve seen other girls get discouraged and quit. We may say that it doesn’t bother us, but honestly, it can be a little intimidating. But I would say, don’t let it get to you. You may be one of only a few girls surrounded by a ton of guys who underestimate you or think you can’t be as great as them. Use that as your motivation to be greater than them and excel.


–Carley Washington, 17


The STEM career I plan to go into is most likely physics or geology. My dad had the most influence on me. Since I was young, my dad constantly took me to museums and he would watch science programs on TV. I do feel that to a certain extent, STEM majors are male dominated. I think females avoid STEM majors because many girls have this idea that science and engineering are something “guys” do, or like some of my friends, they believe they are the only girls in that major and choose not to go into it. If there is something you want to do, then do it.


–Sache Cox, 17 engineering.


I’m going for chemical I


want to work with


fuels or pharmaceutical drugs and to incorporate my two favorite things, math and science. I believe my path will be difficult, but not impossible. My internship adviser, who is a naval engineer for the U.S. Coast Guard, is the one who influenced me to enter the field of engineering. I might get looked down upon by men in the field of engineering, which can be a bit intimidating, but that won’t stop me from reaching my goal. For girls questioning if they want to enter a STEM field, I say go for it, take the challenge and prove to others that men are not the only ones that can pursue a career as an engineer.


– Alexandria Esquivias, 17


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