Expanding Your Horizons: A Stem Career Conference For 7 Th And 8 Th Grade Girls

A recent study performed for the Memphis Regional Economic Development Council reported that Memphis is facing several key challenges including: gaps between education, workforce development and business; African-Americans under-represented in high-tech occupations; and low level of educational attainment. To address these concerns they recommended that efforts be made to: better communicate emerging career opportunities to lower income youth, especially in the early grades; develop programs to reduce the drop-out rate; and place emphasis on math, sciences, language and critical thinking. To this end, the University of Memphis hosted a one-day STEM career conference for 7 and 8 grade girls. It was sponsored through a grant from the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and the Herff College of Engineering and utilized the support system available through the national Expanding Your Horizons (EYH) network. The EYH network is a nonprofit membership organization of educators, scientists, mathematicians, parents, community leaders, and government and corporate representatives whose mission is to encourage young women to pursue careers in the STEM fields through the use of role models and hands-on activities. Their goal, and the goal of this conference is to motivate girls to become innovative and creative thinkers ready to meet 21 Century challenges. The day long workshop was divided into five tracks where students and parents had the option of attending the track session of their choice. Each student selected from one of the following four tracks: (a) Engineering, (b) Healthcare, (c) Computer Technology and (d) Basic Math & Science. The fifth track was reserved for parents interested in learning more about preparing to send their child to college. Within each track the student participated in four different workshops. Each workshop was led by a female professional currently working in the STEM field. The workshop contained information about career options, a hands-on activity related to attaining a position in that career field and an opportunity for participants to ask questions. Survey instruments were used to assess the success of this event. A Pre and Post survey was administered to assess any changes in the student’s knowledge of or attitude toward STEM careers. Each student was asked to complete a short survey for each workshop to determine which ones were most effective. Also each workshop leader, as a representative from local industry, was asked to complete a survey that evaluated the effectiveness of the conference. The results of the analysis of these surveys are included in the conference paper as well as a “lessons learned”. There are two long term impacts of this conference. The first and most obvious is the impact the conference will have on the students who participate. The experience has the potential to influence the student long after the event is over. The second impact will promote the establishment of a new chapter of EYH in West Tennessee. Introduction P ge 14602.2 There have been numerous studies that document the disparity between the number of women and men entering the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Furthermore, studies have shown that this disparity is first evident by the end of elementary school. In 2005, the findings of a survey conducted at Penn State New Kensington of both students majoring in STEM and a control group of college students in non-scientific and nonengineering fields were published through the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference & Exposition. The intent of this survey was to examine the demographics, influences and perceptions that may have enabled students to consider a career in science or engineering. A main finding of that survey is, “... that although great progress has been made in eliminating certain disadvantages that keep girls from entering the science and engineering pipeline, the great divide between girls and engineering remains due to a lack of familiarity with the nature and possibilities of engineering and engineering technology.” A National Science Foundation report states that beginning in 2000, roughly half of the science and engineering bachelor’s degrees were granted to women, up from 25% in 1966. However, this is not the case in Memphis, Tennessee. At the University of Memphis, approximately10% of the undergraduate degrees in science and engineering has been granted to women. This is of particular concern because Memphis has several large companies, FedEx, Medtronics, SmithNephew, Wright Medical, etc. whose impact on economic development has been significant. These companies would like to be able to expand and recruit from the local labor supply. But, evidence indicates efforts must be made locally to encourage young people to enter into technical careers. A recent study performed for the Memphis Regional Economic Development Council reported a hidden labor supply of 532,090 workers in the metropolitan area. The report states that Memphis is facing several key challenges: ≠ African-Americans are under-represented in high-tech occupations ≠ Gaps exist between education, workforce development and business ≠ Educational attainment is low ≠ Performance in math and science is low The study’s recommendations relevant to this project are: ≠ Better communicate emerging career opportunities to lower income youth, especially in the early grades ≠ Develop programs to reduce the drop-out rate ≠ Place emphasis on math, sciences, language and critical thinking Memphis City Schools (MCS) and Shelby County Schools (SCS) have adopted the State of Tennessee’s new Framework which centers on mathematics, science, and technology. It is “based on the notion that learning science and mathematics are better enhanced when experienced through active engagement of inquiry, technology, and engineering or STEM Education.” See Figure 1 below.