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INTRODUCTION

This guide provides best practices that the Florida Advanced Technological Education
(FLATE) Center and others have found to be effective in engaging and retaining girls in
STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, women make up nearly half of the U.S.
workforce. However, women remain underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering
and Math-related fields. As depicted in Figure 1, in 1970 women comprised 38% of all
U.S. workers and 8% of STEM workers. By 2019, the number of women in STEM fields
increased, but only made up 27% of the STEM workforce. Despite this spike in the number
of women entering the field, especially in math and science, they remain significantly
underrepresented in STEM fields, especially the engineering and information technology
fields. Given the disbalance in gender representation in STEM, it is essential that
we work diligently to recruit more women.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor, prior Figure 1
to the 2020 global pandemic,
Percentage of Women in STEM Jobs: 1970-2019
projected STEM-related employment (Civilian employed, 16 years and over)
would increase from approximately
70 60
Total Employed
9.95 million in 2019 to approxi- 40 Social
Scientists
60 20 STEM
mately 10.75 million in 2029 (an
0
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2019
8% increase in STEM-related jobs 50 Mathematical
Workers
compared to a 3.4% projected growth 40 Life & Physical
Scientists
rate for non-STEM jobs). In addition to
30
being underrepresented in the STEM Computer
Workers
workforce, women are also outnum- 20
Engineers
bered by men pursuing STEM fields 10
in college. According to the American
0
Association of University Women, the 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2019
gender gap is highest in the fastest Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000 Censuses: 2010 and 2019 American Community Surveys, 1-Year Estimates.
growing, highest paid jobs like computer and engineering, exacerbated by the 2020 pandemic.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that women accounted for 55% of the 20.5 million
workers who became unemployed in April 2020. Since women comprise a majority of primary
caregivers, their ability to work was impacted more frequently by family responsibilities during
shutdowns, including caring for children at home and providing distance learning support for
school-aged children. Given these trends, it is critical that we work diligently to spark girls’
interest in STEM subjects as early as elementary school and keep them interested and excited.

In this guide, we are keeping the focus on girls, but keep in mind these practices
work just as well for boys, minorities, special needs students, ESOL students and
at risk populations to learn about and explore the exciting world of STEM.

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