‘STEM Like a Girl’ Empowers Next Generation of Women Leaders in Science

A view of the event, “STEM Like a Girl - Introduce a Girl to Engineering and IT,” at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center in Aiken, South Carolina.

AIKEN, S.C. — Nearly 60 eighth graders from area schools gathered for a unique event put on by the Savannah River Site (SRS) to inspire the next generation of female engineers and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) leaders.

At the all-day event, “STEM Like a Girl - Introduce a Girl to Engineering and IT,” the students explored STEM careers through female-led activities at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center. SRS management and operations contractor Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) hosted the gathering.

“SRNS remains committed to breaking down gender barriers and providing young women with the tools and inspiration needed to pursue careers in STEM,” said Taylor Rice, SRNS Education Outreach specialist. “At SRNS, women make up approximately 20% of our engineering workforce and 27% of our information technology professionals. This event creates fresh perspectives, fosters innovation and opens doors for students who show an interest in those fields.”

(Click the photo above to open the full image) At left, girls operate and program robots with a volunteer from the M’Aiken Magic Robotics team; at center, Savannah River Mission Completion volunteer Betsy Booth teaches a student how graphite conducts electricity during the “Energy Ball and Graphite Circuit” activity; and at right, team members assess whether a structure they built is strong enough to withstand impact during a building contest.

Over 50 volunteers from all site contractors helped guide students through interactive stations focused on robotics, coding, and electrical, mechanical, design, and civil engineering. Students also watched engineering come alive on the big screen of the center’s DuPont Planetarium.

“After participating in the ‘Cracking the Code’ activity, I’m inspired to take more coding classes and possibly pursue a degree in software engineering,” said Olivia Praymous, a student at Greenbrier Middle School in Evans, Georgia. “It was an amazing experience working with new people and seeing firsthand how cybersecurity experts identify vulnerabilities.”

Annamarie MacMurray, an engineer at Savannah River National Laboratory, has experienced some incredible “full circle” moments over the past two decades volunteering at “STEM Like a Girl.”

“I’ve watched students who once participated in this program return to the site as engineers themselves,” she said.

Over 50 Savannah River Site volunteers helped guide students through interactive stations focused on robotics, coding and engineering at “STEM Like a Girl - Introduce a Girl to Engineering and IT.” This “Energy Ball and Graphite Circuit” activity showed students how to conduct electricity, using their body to complete a circuit.

Olivia Cavero, a student at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic School in Aiken, said her favorite part of the event was interacting with different types of robotics, from sensory devices to satellite tech.

“I’ve always been passionate about forensic science and criminology, and this event not only confirmed that interest but also introduced me to a whole new side of STEM,” she said.

Erin McCormick, an engineer with SRNS, described “STEM Like a Girl” as a “safe space” for girls to connect, learn and form new friendships.

“It’s incredibly powerful for attending students to see strong female representation in STEM. They see themselves reflected in TV shows, movies and on social media. Bringing that representation to this event helps them envision a future in a field where women can be underrepresented,” said McCormick. “Watching volunteers from the site come together to provide that vision was truly inspiring.”

Click here for more information about SRNS Education Outreach initiatives, and click here to watch a preview of “STEM Like a Girl - Introduce a Girl to Engineering and IT.”

-Contributor: Mackenzie McNabb