The gender gap that exists (and persists) within STEM is more than just disappointing, it’s a major area of concern that affects us all.
The truth is, even though many people know that there’s no such thing as ‘girl activities’ or ‘boy activities,’ girls (and women) still continue to be underrepresented in STEM, both globally and within Canada. And at STEM Camp, we take that seriously.
Within Canada, women account for only:
The career opportunities within STEM are vast and womens’ voices, perspectives, creativity, ingenuity, and experience are crucially important as STEM moves our society forward. (Obviously!) Not only would greater participation of women in STEM create a richer talent pool, but women would be given equal opportunity to contribute to addressing some of the biggest challenges facing our planet, such as climate change, the public health crisis, sustainable development and so many more.
Plus, jobs in STEM are well-paying, and they’re key to driving economic growth and technological advancement too.
While there are many ways that we can be breaking barriers and creating greater access to opportunities within STEM for women, one of the most powerful ways is to ensure that girls feel included, right from day one.
According to a NSERC Report on Women in Science and Engineering in Canada, Dr. Tamara Franz-Odendaal, the Atlantic regional Chair for NSERC’s program for Women in Science and Engineering, notes that early engagement (before high school) is a key factor in guiding girls into science careers.
In surveying students in grades 7 through 9, Dr. Franz-Odendaal and her team found that girls who engaged in activities such as science fairs, competitions and engineering summer camps were 2.7 times more likely to consider a STEM career.
At STEM Camp, we’re dedicated to ensuring that girls are given full opportunity to explore, create, have fun, build their confidence, and (hopefully!) fall in love with STEM.
We’re proud to say that:
Our commitment as an organization runs deep, and is championed on a daily basis by our Founder:
As a parent, you want the best for your child. We know and appreciate that. And that includes making sure that your kids are well-taken care of, safe, and engaged, all the time, but especially when they’re at summer camp.
If you have questions about the summer camp experience, including (but not limited to) our programming, staff, themes, and more, we’re here to answer your questions. You can check our FAQs, or contact us at any time.
And if you’re the parent of a little girl, and considering sending her to a STEM Camp summer camp, know that you’re giving her more than a summer camp experience – you could be changing the course of her life, and bettering our whole society too.
Because while not everyone will love or work within STEM, everyone deserves equal access and equal opportunities.
Girls included.
Period.
