Project STEMulation aims to bridge the gender gap in STEM, by providing opportunities for middle school-age minority girls to become exposed to careers in STEM and receive mentorship from STEM professionals. According to the AAUW Report Why So Few, women fill close to half of the jobs in the US but hold less than 25 percent of jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Women with STEM degrees are less likely than males to work in a STEM occupation, they are more likely to work in education or healthcare. The gender gap that exists for women in STEM is due to various factors including social and environmental factors shaping girls’ achievements and interests in science; the college environment; and the biases regarding women’s success in STEM. This gap can be closed by teaching girls that hands-on experiences in STEM will improve their intelligence in these fields. Therefore, it is crucial to encourage and engage female youth in math and science activities that allow them to demonstrate their skills and become more comfortable with math and science.
