Ask The Experts: Why Is STEM/STEAM in school so important for girls?

Q: Why is STEM/STEAM in school so important for girls?

A: “Today, more than half of women are getting college degrees, and currently only one-third of those are in STEM fields,” says Jessie Sun, director of STEAM engagement and a science teacher at Laurel School. “Seeing women in STEM positions is really important, but what we focus on here is empowering girls to feel confident, to problem-solve, fail and keep going. We want them to fail — that’s what problem solving is. STEM/STEAM is about exploring. It’s about curiosity — and curiosity isn’t memorizing. It’s students exploring what they want to know more about and us helping them figure out those answers. STEM/STEAM are powerful because the problem-solving skills are ubiquitous. They can be used in any framework because they are life skills.”