STEM Darlings Magazine Feb/Mar 2018 Edition 1

S.T.E.M. Darlings is a mentoring magazine for minority women and girls. It features profiles of women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and math professions. It contains activities, events, and advertising from businesses that support #womeninstem and #womenintech

Transcript

1. February/March 2018 Mentorship Magazine for Minority Girls STEM DARLINGS S.T.E.M Events We Love Growing a Heart for Tech in Minority Girls Hands-On Engineering 8 Tech Toys to Spark Your Inner Engineer Black Girl Magic Erica Wagner A STEM Rising Star Profiles in S.T.E.M: Angel Coleman Makes Math Magical STEM Women in History: Evelyn Boyd Granville
2. Everyone has a unique thumbprint. You also have a unique soul print. It's time to discover it
3. Since age 16 I've been the go-to person for family and friends for their technology needs. My family got our first computer when I was 17 or 18 and I gravitated toward it like a moth to a flame. When we got connected to the Internet and email it was a magical moment. What could be better than being connected to the outside world through a phone line? Dial-up would have everyone on edge these days, but I waited patiently for the familiar crackle of the modem firing up, connecting, then letting me know that I had mail! Yes! Fast forward 20+ years. Since that first computer, I have gone through about 10-15 devices. Getting upgrades, newer models, and exploring the possibilities with a shiny new machine. I entered the IT field accidentally. I intended to become a magazine editor for a big firm in NYC. But my life took a different turn and ended up setting up the database at my county job, getting hired as a paid intern at a tech company in college, and the rest is history. I've been solving technology problems for municipalities to Fortune 500 companies over the years. This is just an abbreviated story of my S.T.E.M beginnings. I've touched every area except Math, but thankfully it has been a beautiful journey nonetheless. I look forward to sharing more of my journey with you and introducing you to S.T.E.M. career women who look like you. Keep your head up and your eyes on the prize. Your dreams are worth it and your goals are just on the other side of any challenges you may face. Editor's Corner Let's Connect Samantha A. Gregory Instagram Facebook Twitter Website
4. Meet Stella Stella is the unofficial avatar for S.T.E.M. Darlings. She represents the millions of girls who are excited about the possibilities S.T.E.M. education and careers hold. She reminds us that even though opportunities may seem few and far between, there are women around the country and around the world who are ready and willing to guide her (and you) into this life-changing journey filled with unlimited possibilities. She will be there with a smile and bubbles to brighten your day.
5. Where Are the Women in Tech? By Terri Roeslmeier According to the National Center for Women Information Technology (NCWIT), the U.S. Department of Labor estimated that 1.4 million computer related jobs would be available in the U.S. between 2010-2020. At current graduation rates for Information Technology, we can expect to fill only 32% of those jobs with U.S. Information Technology graduates. The NCWIT further states that although women hold about 57% of professional occupations in the U.S., only 26% of computing occupations are held by women. Even worse, only 3% of those jobs are held by African-American women, 5% by Asian women, and only 2% by Hispanic/Latino women. The computing industry is failing to attract women to the field and sadly retention is poor. Women are leaving the industry at staggering rates, according to the NCWIT. Overall, the number of people graduating with computer or information science degrees has been steadily decreasing since 2004. There is a severe shortage of talent in IT. Salaries for.net programming and other popular technologies are the highest ever and the need for developers is rising. Companies are in near crisis mode as they fight to retain and attract IT talent. American women with computer science degrees can help fill some of these gaps. Personally, I have been a woman in IT since the late 70's when I graduated with a business degree and the MIS Manager at the company I worked for noticed I had programming on my resume. At the time, I was only making a summer pit-stop before pursuing further education in interior design. Struggling with a shortage of programmers even at that time, I was made a very lucrative offer as a full-time programmer, which I accepted. I never thought I would stay in the field, but as the years wore on I realized I was destined for a career in IT. Oddly, it wasn't my passion but the money was good and the opportunities were like none other for a woman in the 80's.
6. The software development career path led me to work with managers and co-workers in a highly male dominated field. Even from a client perspective, all upper management and power lunches that I was included in featured a roundtable of suited men with one petite suited woman - me. I never actually thought much about it. My opinions and work were always highly respected. The knowledge of software and the creation of highly necessary business programming provided a "20 something" woman with opportunities that I could have never had in most other fields. Besides being highly compensated, the work was challenging and I worked with business executives at the highest level. One of the best things about software development is that you are filling a business need. To sit across major players at top companies and work with them to develop software that will make their business better is an amazing experience. Further, technology is exciting to work in because there is always something new to learn and some new development perspective to take. I encourage developers to take a field trip to visit users that are performing their daily tasks utilizing the software that the developer wrote. There is no better feeling than watching people doing their jobs or playing a game using something that you made. Further, if you work for a national software manufacturer, there are people all across the nation in many companies and offices or homes using something that you produced. It's like a song that people listen to everyday and enjoy. As a software developer, you can create a program that is utilized daily and enjoyed. Software developers create tools that make the world more efficient. Companies rely on software to cut costs and increase revenue and profitability. The career path for software developers is wide in range and offers a host of benefits, including some of the highest salaries. The field of IT is broad and there is a need for IT Managers, Designers, Team Leads, Programmers, Testers, and more. Although I am a woman in IT, before analyzing some of the statistics, I never realized that there was such a lack of diversity in the industry. Even in my own company, we have a 4 to 1 ratio of men to women in the development role. That statistic is even worse when assessing incoming job applications. There are solid reasons for women to consider roles in development. First, unemployment statistics are favorable for jobs in IT. Also, tech companies are generally profitable which means some extra job security. The work is very interesting, challenging and always changing. You can get creative. Job growth is steadily increasing. Highly competitive salaries are standard issue. There is no variance in pay between men and women in IT (for comparable experience, education, and skills). This was confirmed by a salary survey performed by Dice.com. Why aren't there more women in tech? Good question. Working in IT can be life changing, and the first step for a woman conquering a development role is making the need for women developers known. Let's get that pipeline flowing. College students should explore the field, talk to tech companies, and find out more about how coding is cool. The future of IT depends on it. Automated Business Designs, Inc. has been in business for over 30 years, producing the recruiting software solution Ultra-Staff, made specifically with staffing companies in mind. ABD offers a customizable recruiting experience that benefits both clients and candidates through an integrated front office, back office, web suite, and mobile application. With unique perspectives, in-depth recruiting knowledge, active membership in the American Staffing Association (ASA), and board member status in the Illinois Search and Staffing Association (ISSA), ABD delivers hiring results from beginning to end. Click here to learn more about ABD and Ultra-Staff. Article Source: Where Are the Women in Tech?
7. STEM Women in History
9. Was school easy or difficult for you? I wouldn't say school was easy or hard. It was a little bit of both. Some subjects came easy for me while others did not. Thankfully, I had supportive parents, superb teachers, and a strong will to achieve. What advice would you give a girl/woman interested in your career? Teaching has to be in your heart. Students know right away if you're just there to collect a paycheck or if you're truly concerned about their welfare. What school did you attend and what STEM courses did you take? I attended the University of North Florida. STEM wasn't a "thing" when I was in college. The program of study required for a degree in Elementary Education did not include STEM courses at that time. What else would you like to share about your experience in a STEM career? Many corporations are looking to hire minorities in STEM fields, especially minority women. Making Math Magical What made you decide to enter this field of study and work? In my early years of schooling, I had a teacher who really believed in me and believed in my capabilities. Being in her classroom made me feel invincible. I wanted to channel and instill that same energy into my own students. What is the best part of your job? Watching a student try over and over again and not give up until they have that "light bulb" moment. The proud look on their faces and the feeling of accomplishment makes my heart happyl! What's the most challenging part of your job? Teaching is challenging when a student does not have parental support at home. Angel Coleman Career: Former Teacher/ Tutor S.T.E.M. Sector: Mathematics Years in this S.T.E.M. Career: 14
10. How Can We Encourage More Girls to Love Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)? By Chaima Bagais Although improvements are being made with the increased involvement of women in science-related careers, there is still a significant under-representation of women, especially among minority women. There are a number of factors that contribute to this lack of women in science in our society, but most of these factors can be overcome to produce the next Anita Roberts, Sally Ride, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Blackburn, or YOU. Factors That Prevent Girls from Entering STEM Fields According to a study entitled, Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) by Kristine De Welde @ Florida Gulf Coast University and Sandra Laursen & Heather Thiry @ University of Colorado at Boulder (2007), several key factors prevent girls from entering or being successful in STEM fields. First, they found that the classroom environments in schools were not conducive to encouraging girls to pursue interests in these types of careers. Another key factor was a lack of female role models who could provide encouragement and inspiration as well as demonstrate how to balance their lives between careers and family life. Other significant factors include girls not being well prepared for the demands of these fields as well as not being encouraged by people around them. Furthermore, these women experience more discrimination and bias against them in the workplace in both hiring practices and in opportunities for advancement. These discriminatory practices also include differences in salaries between women and their male counterparts as well as the practice of seeing women in these positions at a lower status than their male colleagues.
11. Finally, it is more difficult in general for women in the workplace to balance careers and families, but it is even more so for STEM careers because they are often more time-consuming due to requiring extended education, and this can result in the sacrifice of family life or career goals for these women. There is Hope for STEM Dreams However, these factors don't have to squash a girl's dream to work in the variety of STEM careers. A survey study presented last month (March 2010) by Bayer Facts of Science Education XIV, released the main causes for the under-representation of female scientists in STEM careers as well as pointed out the key factors (both positive & negative) that influence girls and women as they journey through the education system and workforce. Their hope is that the results will help to "knock down the barriers and provide to all of our budding scientists and engineers the attitudes, behaviors, opportunities and resources that lead to success." (BFOSE XIV 2010) Strategies to Counteract Low Number of Women in STEM Careers The findings suggest that the lower numbers of women in STEM careers can be counteracted by certain changes. First of all, it is important for schools to have quality science programs that utilize hands-on materials and experiments, not just learning through textbooks. This is especially important in poorer school districts where these items may not be readily available. Educators should also be encouraged to provide more fun science classes and activities, and the district and community should support them and make the necessary resources available like BrainCake's The Girl Solution Gender Equity Tool Kit. These activities should also be geared more towards girl interests. Successful female scientists should be invited to speak to classes, and girl-centered science clubs like the GEMS club should be created to give them the confidence, support, and resources they need to achieve success. Furthermore, multi-media resources should be utilized to help make science come alive like watching renowned science programs on television or on DVD like PBS's NOVA and playing interactive games on the Internet like those found at Science News for Kids. Parents can also help encourage their daughters by purchasing science toys, kits, and equipment for them as well as help them to do simple experiments at home or for science fair projects. In addition, parents and educators can schedule trips to science museums & summer vacation science camps like Sally Ride's Camps as well as provide access to good female role models, mentors, & support groups. Finally, everyone can provide encouragement, help girls to set goals, and create opportunities for them to increase their positive science experiences and self-confidence. National Girls Collaborative Project and Expanding Your Horizons Network are two organizations that can help make this possible.
12. How Families, Schools and Communities Can Encourage Girls Another study published in February 2010 called Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics by Catherine Hill, Ph.D., Christianne Corbett, and Andresse St. Rose, Ed.D. focus on how families, schools, and communities can encourage girls to overcome obstacles to help them enter STEM careers. At the same time, in order to overcome the gender inequalities and societal stereotypes, it is important to believe that intelligence isn't fixed, but it is something that can be nurtured and grown which helps level the playing field and means that girls have just as much potential to learn and thrive in these fields as boys. Another important factor in improving girls' chances of excelling in these fields is to provide them with spatial training to increase their spatial skills. This can be done simply by encouraging them to build things, take them apart, and then put them back together again. Drawing and working with their hands on various projects will also help enhance their spatial abilities. The Answer to Getting More Girls into STEM Fields So how can we encourage more girls to enter STEM fields? The answers may seem simple, but history tells us that change isn't easy. The key is for us to change people's attitudes first and foremost which is probably one of the hardest things to do, but it will be well worth it if we do because it will allow us to tap into a reservoir of talented, creative female minds that can help us soar into the future. Then we have to provide the opportunities, experiences, skills, and resources that are necessary to get the job done. If we can't find any in our communities, then we need to look to other communities for help or start new ones, and the Internet is full of practically infinite resources that we could use to jump-start any idea or program. What are you waiting for? Please visit my website for science resources including science kits and toys, a monthly newsletter and kid's contest, as well as science fair tips and helpful links to other outstanding science-related websites for kids. Article Source: How Can We Encourage More Girls to Love Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)?
13. Rising S.T.E.M. Superstar! Erica Wagner is all about STEAM. She created a course for KiraKira approximately two years ago. She partnered with Ozobot last year and did a product review for their Ozobot Evo. She recently won a scholarship from Silicon Stem Academy to take a class in Computer Science. She has a Youtube channel that is dedicated to STEAM. You can see that at www.youtube.com/ScienceHerWay We caught up with Erica to ask her about her love of STEM. Here is what she had to say: What made you decide to enter this field of study and work? I love being creative and I want to incorporate STEM & STEAM with it. In games, movies, animations, tv shows, and other media, minorities are never represented or we always have a stereotypical role. The same happens to women and minority women excect we are used for fan service and eye candy. I want to make my own games and animations that make minority women and men the leaders, the hero, the inspiration, and have them represent the power minorities have and serve an actual purpose. Not some weak attempt at including diversity. There isn't a lot of media that portrays minorities as smart or nerdy either. So these games and animation will all be STEM & STEAM based. Fictional role models are just as important as real life ones. Media real or fictional can shape a little girl and boy's views on what they can and can't do. It's about time we get some media portraying us positively and strongly. Erica Wagner Career: Student S.T.E.M. Sector: Technology Years in this S.T.E.M. Career: 5 Erica (@ScienceHerWay) was recently interviewed on @herstemstory. You can listen here on SoundCloud
14. What is the best part of your job? It's my community. It may not be big right now, but I've had a dad contact me asking what STEM & STEAM resources I recommend for his daughter. I've been contacted by several other dads thanking me for my videos because they couldn't find something for their daughters. I had a grandmother ask me to upload a 2 hour and 30 minute video of me building a product so she would have confidence when she built it with her grandkids. Inspiring and help girls, parents, grandparents, and just people is an amazing feeling. I get to make content that I needed and wanted when I was younger but it wasn't there. What's the most challenging part of your job? Nothing but my work is "challenging" to me. Sure, learning new things in coding or 3D is challenging in that sense, but not a struggle. How long have you been in STEM? I've loved STEM & STEAM my whole life. I wasn't the girl who loved all the girly things. For Christmas and my birthday I didn't ask, nor want, dolls, dresses, make up, etc. I wanted dinosaurs, robots, crystal growing kits, and experiment kits! Was school easy or difficult for you? I'm a homeschool student and since my mom knows my learning style school was easy for me. The only time it's difficult is when it's a subject I dislike or when it's a teacher that teaches differently. What advice would you give a girl/woman interested in your career? For the young lady or women who is all about STEM, be true to yourself and your interest. Look for those who may be an example for you or even a role model. They may not be local, however, if they are a YouTuber or blogger, begin following their platform. You may find out there are more people just like you. What school did you attend and what STEM courses did you take? My homeschool's name is Wagner Learning Power Institute. I've taken a Chemistry camp, a Microsoft beginner coding camp, participated on Hour of Code for two years, and I won a scholarship to attend a coding class that started on January 9th. What else would you like to share about your experience in a STEM career? A lot of these can be considered STEM. So don't be afraid to try all sorts of different fields and aspects of those fields. Just like designing a product on paper, digitally, or in a 3D program is a part of Engineering because it gives you an idea of how you build it. Rising S.T.E.M. Superstar! Con't
15. Activity Pages Activity Pages
17. Test Your Tech Know-how
18. Buy the full coloring book at Start-Engieering.com
19. Classes are enrolling now Sign up for the ChickTech KickOff March 24, 2018 Atlanta, GA Click here to learn more!
20. STEM Events We Love ChickTech Kickoff with High School Girls March 24, 2018 GSMA Atlanta, GA Women in STEM Symposium Apr 7, 8:30 AM · Mudd Hall · Baltimore, MD Click here for more information Women in STEM Panel Mar 20, 6:15 PM · The Third Wave at UND · Grand Forks, ND Click here for more information Women in STEM Night March 13, 2018 Shepherd Hill Regional High School 68 Dudley Oxford Road, Dudley, MA Women in STEM Conference May 15, 2018 Central Wyoming College Riverton, WY Click here for more information STEM Atlanta - Private Movie Screening - A Wrinkle in Time March 10, 2018 STEM Women Atlanta Alpharetta, GA Click here for more information Women and Girls in the STEM World Mar 24, 12 PM · Tuscaloosa Public Library · Tuscaloosa, AL Click here for more information Would you like your STEM event listed in the next issue? Send your listing to info@stemdarlings.com.
21. 8 Great Engineering Toys for Girls 1. Roominate Connect wall and floor panels to build your structure. Use the modular building pieces to create spiral staircases, couches, pools and so much more! Wire up the motor circuit to make a spinning windmill, blender, pottery wheel, carousel, elevator, or anything else you can imagine! 121 piece set includes pluggable walls, furniture building pieces, columns, wheels, axles, motor, doll, pet cat, screwdriver, stickers, wallpapers and more. Teaches important STEM skills: hands-on problem solving, spatial and fine motor skills, self-confidence and creativity 2.Nancy B’s Science Club Microscope and Activity Journal Hands-on science experiences. Includes 40+ piece dual microscope and twenty-two-page journal. Scientific experiences designed for kids ages 8 to 11 3. GoldieBlox: Construction toy + storybook set featuring the world's first girl engineer character, Goldie Blox! This is Goldie's ultimate kit for the most adventurous innovator! Her Diary of Inventions offers kids a wide-eyed perspective of Goldie’s world, including 11 build ideas – help Goldie build a doghouse, teacup ride, derby car, drum set, a noisemaker, a guitar, and more! Introduces the real-life skill concepts of mechanical engineering. 4. Anki Cozmo Robot Expresses a broad range of real emotions in response to his environment; Shows curiosity and explores. Learns, plots, and plans and gets to know you; Unlock new games and upgrades the more you play. Cozmo app is constantly updating, so Cozmo’s skills, games, and personality evolve.
22. 8 Great Engineering Toys for Girls 5. K’NEX Mighty Makers – World Travels Building Set 13 BUILDING IDEAS – Children can create 13 different model ideas with this colorful playset. The parts can be combined to make beautiful landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, the Empire State Building, an igloo, a Mayan pyramid, and so much more! Let your children use their wild imaginations and unleash their potential with this playset. 7. Lego Friends Amusement Park Build an entire rollercoaster for hours of fun. Includes 4 mini-dolls: Emma, Andrea, Matthew and Naya in summer outfits. 6. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Mega Crystal Growing Lab GROW CRYSTALS IN 8 COLORS - Blue, pink, red, purple, green, orange, yellow, and teal; Chemistry has never been so fun and colorful! Easy-to-follow instructions and 4 silicone growing chambers make growing and saving your crystals easy Show off your 5 favorite home-grown crystals on the included light-up display 8. Wonder Workshop Dash Robot Dash is a real robot for children ages 6 and up that is responsive to its world; your child can bring it to life with our free apps available on iOS and Android. Dash comes with hundreds of exciting coding adventures and projects available in Wonder and Blockly apps. Kids can program Dash to be the real robot pet, pal or sidekick of their dreams.
23. Your local library Check for computer classes, science clubs, and through their online portal where you can take classes for free. Open Courseware Universities Universities like MIT, UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, Harvard, Stanford, Notre Dame, Open.Michigan, and Tufts offer over 2,000 courses for free. You can find all levels of classes in science, technology, engineering, and math. Visit the website, https://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm Skillshare This website features short and long courses in all the STEM fields. Use this coupon to get two months free. It's perfect for when you want to learn something quickly. STEM Learning Resources Here is a list of places you can go to learn more about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. There are free classes for women and girls. Mothers and daughters can learn together to prepare for a career or change careers. Also, check out http://www.oeconsortium.org/ which features many community and technical colleges along with universities. iTunes University If you have a Mac, iPhone, or iPad you can access iTunes University. You can also get it on your PC too. Simply download iTunes to your desktop and search for iTunes University. You will find classes from middle school to University offering free STEM courses. You can listen or watch lectures, learn how to cook, and do crafts.
24. Would you like to be a part of the STEM Darlings Family? Here are a few ways you can help. Contribute an Article Submit a Profile Make a Donation Buy an Ad Email the editor learn more at samantha@stemdarlings.com
25. How to Purchase Advertising From Us If you are ready to purchase your ad space now you are making the right decision. We are taking orders for the April, May, and June editions. If you would like to receive a 25% discount I encourage you to purchase all three months. Once you complete the order form you will receive an invoice that is payable immediately. You will also receive instructions for uploading your artwork and content if you are purchasing an Advertorial ad. I look forward to a long relationship with you and applaud you for investing in the future of minority girls everywhere. Click here for the order form Advertising Options Full Page Spread (2 pages) - $700 Want to attract a captive audience for your ad? Get a full page spread in our magazine. It will be displayed in the center of the magazine and impossible to miss. Advertorial - $500 The advertorial is an article that is an advertising but does not read like one. It informs, entertains, or inspires the reader all while building trust. This trust will give them more reasons to click your links and do business with you. Full Page - $400 Your ad will be featured in full color on the page. It will catch the eye and with a strong call to action, entice readers to visit your website. Lock in this ad choice early to get prime space on the back cover! 1/2 Page - $250 Your page will be above or underneath the content of the magazine. It may also be prominently placed above a 1/4 page ad. 1/4 Page - $125 A 1/4 page ad is a budget-friendly option that still attracts the eye of our readers. Include an irresistable call to action and you could have more leads than you could have imagined. Business Card Size - $65 Your business card ad will be displayed in color and true to size. You can get your message across nicely with this ad option. Classified Ad - $30 Reach your audience in as little as 3 lines. Some of the most successful classified ads have pulled in millions of dollars when well written. All ads purchased in 3-month increments will receive a 25% discount when paid in full. Need Artwork? Our design team can help you design a compelling ad. Rates start at $150.