NEW INITIATIVE AT MSI TO INVOLVE MORE GIRLS IN STEM CAREERS

The Museum of Science and Industry recently received a gift from MSI Trustee and business leader Ann M. Drake, which is meant to increase interest in STEM careers, with a focus on girls and diversity. Photo by Tia Carol Jones
The Museum of Science and Industry recently received a gift from MSI Trustee and business leader Ann M. Drake, which is meant to increase interest in STEM careers, with a focus on girls and diversity. Photo by Tia Carol Jones

New initiative at MSI to involve more girls in STEM careers

BY TIA CAROL JONES
     A donation from Ann M. Drake, business leader and Museum of Science and Industry trustee, will enable the institution to create an initiative to encourage more girls to enter STEM careers.
     “Throughout my career, I’ve focused on paving the way for change and working to make an impact in industry, especially for women. It’s critical to have role models, support networks and opportunities that can help girls find their future,” Drake
said in a release. “With this gift, I hope to encourage and advance girls and women in STEM fields, and create a bright future for us all.”
     Dr. Rabiah Mayas is the vice president of education for the Museum of Science and Industry. Mayas said the gift deepens the museum’s commitment to welcoming all young people to get into and get excited about science, potentially following
careers in science.
     “The Museum has always been very open and welcoming, but we recognize we can always do more, as it relates to inclusion and equity,” she said. “This particular gift is really powerful because it’s going to allow us to, not only develop programming that is specific to girls and young women to engage in science and connect with the Museum, but it’s also helping us think more deeply about how we can be more gender inclusive across all of our programming area[s].”
     Mayas said those areas include teaching practices, program development, how MSI leads programs and who is featured in those programs. She said the museum has done a great job of that already, but the grant will allow the institution to do that more deeply, in a more thoughtful and strategic way.
     The new initiative focuses on girls in grades 4 through 8. Mayas said that in the science education field, fourth to eighth grade students are consciously or unconsciously deciding who they want to be and what paths they want to pursue. She said studies and research show it is a critical time where they are making choices and building an identity for themselves about
whether they see themselves participating in and being a part of science.
     Mayas said it is the reason why for the last 15 years, the museum has focused on young people in that age group, to make sure they are getting exposure to science that gets them excited about science.
     Mayas said factors that can contribute to a loss of interest in science include not having a great science teacher and not
being exposed to scientists, technicians or engineers. She added, the museum has been focused on supporting middle grade science teachers as well by helping them to build strong teaching practices and becoming confident and enthusiastic about teaching high quality science.
     Mayas said there are also programs that provide exposure to diverse types of people who are engaged in science, with the hope that students will see people who are like them and will want to be like them when they grow older.
     There is an opportunity with the programs and initiatives the museum has to change the narrative of who is good at science, who is good at math and who belongs in technology, Mayas continued. She added, the message they want to send
is every pathway is available to young people, independent of race, ethnicity, gender, or how much income a family earns. “We have to be very intentional about that because the system, to date, has not been as welcoming and inclusive as it has needed to be for all of our kids,” she said.
     The Museum of Science and Industry hopes to engage more than 3,000 girls annually. This summer, the museum will
host its first girls only summer camp in its digital fabrication lab. It will also increase girls’ participation in Black Creativity Family Day and Jr. Science Café, with partnerships with girl-focused organizations.

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