Are you interested in building a robot that is powered through AI? Are you interested in solving differential equations to calculate the projectile of a stone launcher? Are you interested in researching the latest vaccines that can find a cure against chicken pox?
STEM offers a vast field to indulge ourselves in every possible way we get, whether it’s starting a new passion project or involving yourself in research. This exposure, in a STEM field will foster the community aspect of life as a girl in a male-dominated field before college and gain crucial skills at hand. As a highschooler particularly interested in venturing into the technological field, I remember the hard time I had finding a program that was the right fit for me. So here’s a short curated list to find the perfect fit for you to get started with your passion.
-
STEM for girls –
This is a global initiative launched by IBM in India, in 2019 to provide access to education and plethora of career options their way. It is a 3 year program to train and prepare over 2 lakh girls in government schools for STEM related careers and excel in their lone fields. By conducting immersive workshops, lectures, laboratory experiments and experimental study, the program has been a success inculcating computational thinking skills as well as career awareness in young girls.
-
Young Technology Scholars
Tentatively held during June-July.
This is a 2 week summer immersive STEM program held by Plaksha University Campu (Mohali, Punjab) at their campus. It provides a wide opportunity for students to engage in real world engineering applications, and problem solving through an interdisciplinary perspective. This hands-on learning experience will fuel critical thinking all the while engaging a scientific approach.
-
PROMYS India
Tentatively held during May-June.
This renowned and challenging mathematics program is held 6 weeks long. Particularly for math geeks who share their passion for math, it demands out of the box thinking while having fun with numbers. It indulges on the spot thinking and the quickness of solving along with accuracy. It also encourages curiosity and within the deep elemental mathematics, that’ll lead to scientific indulgence and creativity amidst itself.
-
Summer Outreach Camp
A short camp held by IISER Bhopal, aims to enable the participants to understand the role of science in society. It’s an opportunity that offers hands-on laboratory exercises and fascinating lectures in the natural sciences. It helps develop the aptitude skills as well as appreciate the vast nature of science in today’s world.
-
Young Scientist program (YUVIKA)
Yuvika is a young scientists program held by ISRO to younger students interested in space science and technology. Through the program, students can meet scientists at different ISRO centers, visit their labs, and also participate in lectures and practical classes. Its main objective is to fuel passion in this field and make it engaging as well as fascinating. The program is thus aimed at creating awareness amongst the youngsters who are the future building blocks of our Nation. In ISRO’s words it’s intent is to ‘Catch them Young’.
The first day classes as a freshman, especially as a woman pursuing a STEM major can be scary. Being thrown into a new atmosphere with challenging introductory classes and unfamiliar people may seem daunting. However having some experience at these programs will give an insight to this field and what’s more to come.
As a whole, the STEM culture might be unwelcoming to women, but it’s getting much more progressive. According to a report by the American Association of University Women, women make up just 28% of the STEM workforce, which has been a great improvement since the early 2000’s. The women workforce has been increasing constantly which is an optimal sign for a change that’s going to pave the way for young women everywhere.