Women and Minorities in STEM Fields Program (USDA)

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-3
2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 23
Author(s):  
Mary-Kate Sableski

STEM is an integral component to today’s library programming, engaging children in active, hands-on experiences and building interest in these critical fields. There is a documented dearth of representation across women and minorities in STEM fields, and programming in public libraries can help to close this gap by fostering an early interest in science, technology, engineering, and math in all children, regardless of their background or access to STEM curriculum in school.


STEM professionals need specific knowledge, abilities, and general ways of working to be successful. In this chapter, the authors identify a three-pillar approach for preparing future STEM workers including 1) knowledge of STEM careers and professionals, 2) abilities to work in the STEM fields, and 3) ways of working as STEM professionals. Additionally, the individual components and activities of Project Engage that address each pillar are detailed. Finally, this chapter also presents the results and implications discovered through survey research designed to ascertain the participants' opinions of the project activities and the impact of the activities on retention in STEM fields and on participants' desires to continue into STEM careers. The survey results uncover a trend of more positive responses of minority students towards project activities designed to prepare future STEM professionals. This trend calls for future, more in-depth examinations on the project activities and similar ones as a means to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in STEM professions.


2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 (148) ◽  
pp. 5-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia Hurtado ◽  
Christopher B. Newman ◽  
Minh C. Tran ◽  
Mitchell J. Chang

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faye J. Crosby ◽  
Margaret S. Stockdale
Keyword(s):  

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