This One Classroom Rule Is Holding Back Girls In STEM

Girls between the age of 11 and 15 are losing interest in STEM topics.

It's a subject close to my heart.

Even with a number of great STEM-based organizations and new opportunities for girls -- Girls Who Code, Women in Technology International - WITI, Anita Borg and the Grace Hopper Conference, Girls Develop IT, to name a few…

we still have a long way to go.

In fact, a key question driving the STEM movement remains to be fully answered. During countless interviews, I am asked that question:

"Lisa, how do we get more women in STEM?”

I have ideas...

One of those ideas came to me while participating as a STEM role model in a new public service ad campaign led by the Ad Council with corporate sponsorship from IBM, GE, Microsoft, Verizon, and Google.

Rocket scientists

Assets for the campaign were shot at the NASA rocket ship factory in New Orleans. I felt a mix of emotions during the long day at the Michoud Assembly Factory.

While getting makeup done by Stacy Kelly, a favorite among Hollywood A-listers, and photos taken by Lauren Dukoff, who shot Adele's latest album cover, I couldn’t help but ponder the site of where all of this was taking place. 

The thought of being in the same space where rocket scientists worked gave me cold chills. 

Future scientists

But, it was neither the Hollywood treatment nor the scientists who left a mark on me that day.

Rather, it was the young girls selected as interviewers for the campaign who impressed me the most. Each STEM role model chosen for the campaign was paired with a young girl who aspired to be a STEM leader, and I had the good fortune of being paired with nine-year-old Karri.

One-word advice

By the time Karri and I sat down for our interview, it had already been a long day, and I could tell Karri was exhausted. We sat across from each other on set waiting for the production crew to work their lighting magic.

While we were waiting I asked her:

"Karri, do you have any advice for anyone who wants to be an actress?"

Without hesitation she looked me in the eyes and said, "You need to have confidence. When you go in for the audition the producers will know if you're confident…and that is why they pick you. If you have confidence, they know you won’t freeze-up in front of a camera."

I was in awe. This little girl was wise beyond her years... I should've been the one interviewing HER. 

"You need to have confidence" - Karri, 9 year old aspiring STEM leader

Perceived confidence

Within Karri’s advice lies one critical piece to the STEM puzzle, which we are so desperately trying to solve.

“What will it take to get more girls in STEM?”

Removing antiquated rules that teach girls to hold back and politely wait instead of confidently sharing good ideas is one such way. 

Holding back ideas while others speak, whether it be in the classroom or office, makes both young girls and professional women look as though they are lacking in confidence.

I never lacked in confidence growing up, yet after entering the professional career world, I've received feedback from managers to speak up more in meetings, get my voice heard, and “have more confidence.”

The confidence killer

However, getting my voice heard and speaking up more - even when not asked for my opinion - is a contradiction to what was engrained in my norm of how to engage in a group setting. 

Speaking out of turn in school is frowned upon. Many teachers insist students raise their hands. And, where I went to school, you were only allowed to answer questions when called on by the teacher. 

Speak up

If girls are going to be judged in STEM professions someday by their ability to verbally ideate, lead discussions, and confidently debate, we must give students the space and time to practice these skills throughout the school day and during their entire educational journey, starting in Kindergarten. 

Calling out answers to problems and pointing out issues with solutions in the moment should be encouraged in schools.

Otherwise, we may be missing out on some pretty amazing ideas from potential STEM leaders, who are choosing to be polite over taking their place at the table.

STEM pipeline

Initiatives like the "She can STEM" Ad Council public service announcement and STEM-focused organizations will greatly contribute toward building a diverse STEM pipeline. However, we must also have open conversations and even scrutinize old classroom rules that no longer translate into the modern workplace. Doing so will lay a solid foundation for girls like Karri who need both confidence and permission to speak up with their ideas. 

What are your ideas? Speak up with your answers to the question below in the comment field and read more about "She can STEM" here #SheCanSTEM.

“What will it take to get more girls in STEM?”