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.