Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Arkansas Girls in STEM Events

Memo Information

Memo Number
COM-23-069
Memo Date
1/12/2023
Memo Type
Informational
Unit
Central Administration
Regulatory Authority
Response Required
NO
Attention
Federal Programs; Superintendents; Assistant Superintendent; Principals; Technology Coordinators; Test Coordinators; Teachers; Gifted & Talented Coordinators; Curriculum Coordinators; School Counselors; Techstart Coordinators or Contact Name; Equity Coordinators (Disability/Race/Gender/National Origin); Data Stewards (SIS; eSchool; eFinance; TRIAND); District Coordinators (ALE; Homeless; ESOL; SDFS & Foster); Parent Involvement Coordinators/Facilitators; CTE Coordinator (COOPs and regular school districts)

Primary Contact Information

Secondary Contact/s Information

Memo Text

The recent Report of the 2022 Arkansas Women's Commission highlighted the need to increase equity in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. The report stated, “Research shows that gender differences in self-confidence in STEM subjects surface by middle school and increase through college, with girls reporting less confidence than boys.” 


Arkansas offers a vast array of STEM learning experiences for all students, both in-school and out-of-school, through a rich PK-20 ecosystem. Some of these activities are designed specifically to encourage girls and women to pursue and persist in STEM learning and careers. This list captures some of the upcoming events: AR Girls in STEM Events https://tinyurl.com/ArGIRLSinSTEMevents. Flyers are attached.


Additionally, Million Women Mentors of Arkansas continues to connect and amplify all of the institutions, individuals, and initiatives that support girls and women in STEM in our state. Through sponsored events and activities, MWM AR intends to elevate the conversation around advancing girls and women in STEM; promote mentoring as a key strategy for supporting girls and women on STEM pathways; and raise awareness of participating institutions and individuals as thought-leaders in this space. A new leadership team and steering committee has begun collaboration, and the first webinar, Celebrating Women in STEM, will be held on February 8, 2023. 

The webinar will be recorded for anytime viewing and will be posted here: https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/special-projects/ready-for-stem

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