Engaging Girls in STEAM

The California STEAM Symposium kicked off on December 11 with an uplifting and inspirational fireside chat. Since the Symposium was entirely digital this year, an incredible conversation was attended by several hundred educators. Introductions and presenters included Linda Darling Hammond, President of the State Board of Education,  California Department of Education Foundation CEO Jessica Howard, President and Vice-Chair of the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation Laurie Dachs, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond

CCSWG Executive Director LaKenya Jordan led a fireside chat with keynote speaker Ibtihaj Muhammad. Muhammad is an entrepreneur, activist, speaker and Olympic medalist in fencing. In 2016, Ibtihaj became the first American woman to compete in the Olympics in hijab. In 2017, Mattel announced their first hijabi Barbie, modeled in Ibtihaj’s likeness, as part of Barbie’s “Shero” line of dolls. The Barbie became available for purchase in July 2018. Ibtihaj also released her debut memoir, PROUD: My Fight for an Unlikely American Dream. In September of 2019, Ibtihaj released her first children’s book The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family, which instantly became a New York Times Best Seller.

The Commission’s work to uplift and inspire diverse women and girls is vital. Conversations with dynamic women leaders help create space in the world for women and girls from various backgrounds while inspiring future generations is vital,” said Director Jordan.

The conversation focused on empowering and uplifting women and girls from all walks of life, with particular focus on how teachers could help students develop a greater sense of self-worth.

“I believe that our words carry so much weight. Similarly, a smile goes a long way.  In showing support and affection you can really change the way our kids view themselves,”  said Muhammad.

The Commission is a partner and co-sponsor of all STEAM Symposium events. The focus of the 2020 Symposium was STEAM through an equity and inclusion lens. 

Olympian Ibtihaj Muhammad and California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Executive Director LaKenya Jordan Discuss Equity, Resilience, & Breaking Barriers at the #CASTEAM20

California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Executive Director LaKenya Jordan will lead a fireside chat with Ibtihaj Muhammed, kicking off the California STEAM Symposium on December 11, 2020!

The Commission seeks to empower and uplift California’s women and girls with inspiring conversations with phenomenal women such as Ibtihaj Muhammed. As an entrepreneur, activist, New York Times best-selling author, and speaker, Ibtihaj Muhammad is a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, 5-time Senior World medalist and World Champion, and the first American woman to compete in the Olympics in hijab. In September of 2019, Ibtihaj released her first children’s book The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family, which instantly became a New York Times Best Seller.

Ibtihaj Muhammad is a sports ambassador with the U.S. Department of State’s Empowering Women and Girls through Sport Initiative and was nominated by President Obama as a member of the President’s Council on Fitness, Health & Nutrition. She works closely with organizations like Athletes for Impact, the Special Olympics, and Laureus Sport for Good. Named to Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential list, Ibtihaj is an important figure in a larger global discussion on equality and the importance of sport. Her voice continues to unite both the sports and non-sports world.

As Executive Director of the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, her work is centered on working with the 17 appointed Commissioners to advance greater equality for women and girls inclusive of race and gender equality, women’s rights. She believes in the uplift and empowerment of every woman and girl, knowing that California can lead the way in establishing a distinctive focus on equity, equality, and inspiration for future generations. The Commission’s work includes programs focused on advancing women’s equality, pay equity, women’s wellbeing, workplace rights, positive images of women and girls in the media, and increasing the number of girls engaged in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (S.T.E.A.M.).

The STEAM Symposium is one of the Commission’s favorite events of the year. “I am looking forward to the fireside chat with such a groundbreaking leader as Ibtihaj. The Commission’s work to uplift and inspire diverse women and girls is vital. Conversations with dynamic women leaders help create space in the world for women and girls from various backgrounds while inspiring future generations,” said Director Jordan. “We are thrilled to once again co-host the STEAM Symposium with the California Department of Education and the CDE Foundation. This event presents an opportunity to make significant positive change for girls in California as we continue to push open doors and break down barriers to their participation in STEAM fields around the globe. The Commission celebrates women whose determination to succeed helps them to overcome challenges and achieve their dreams. It is our hope that every girl in California and worldwide will be inspired to do the same.”

We look forward to collaborating with educators from around the world at the California STEAM Symposium to prepare for a wonderful launch into 2021. The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls is thrilled to announce the opportunity to join this incredible conversation with an international inspiration.

Event Details:
California STEAM Symposium
December 11-13, 2020
Location: Any laptop or mobile device
Current registration rate is only $145!
Visit www.steamcalifornia.org for the full schedule, agenda, and registration.

The California STEAM Symposium is co-hosted by the California Department of Education, the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and the Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation.

 

Women and Girls in STEM

Over the past five years, under the leadership of former Chair Lupita Cortez Alcalá and former Chair Geena Davis, the Commission has partnered with several organizations dedicated to improving the interests of women and girls in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). 

Women and girls in California continue to lag behind their male counterparts in academic performance in STEAM fields, enrollment into STEAM courses, majoring in STEAM fields, and working in STEAM careers. Our mission is to increase the participation of girls in STEAM classrooms, from Kindergarten to University, and increase the number of women in STEAM fields. The Commission has expanded our programming and partnership in our work with the California Department of Education and the University of California, Davis which include financial investments of Commission funds. Please read more about these initiatives to promote community engagement and expand mentorship opportunities for girls and young women in STEAM.

STEAM Programs and Camps for Girls

Multiple Locations 

Alameda County/Berkeley/Oakland       

Davis

Grover Beach

Los Angeles County/Los Angeles/ Long Beach

San Diego

Santa Clara County/Palo Alto/ San Jose

Santa Cruz County/Aptos/Santa Cruz

STEAM Town Halls

Under the leadership of former Chair Lupita Cortez Alcalá, the Commission partnered with several organizations dedicated to improving the interests of women and girls in STEAM. Women and girls in California continue to lag behind their male counterparts in academic performance in STEAM fields, enrollment into STEAM courses, majoring in STEAM fields, and working in STEAM careers. Our mission is to increase the participation of girls in STEAM classrooms, from Kindergarten to University, and increase the number of women in STEAM fields.

Partnership with the California Department of Education

The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls joined with the California Department of Education to improve STEAM education in K through 12 public schools and to strengthen girls’ engagement in STEAM classrooms. The CCSWG and the CDE have teamed up to

  1. develop professional learning modules focusing on instructional strategies to increase access to STEAM;
  2. provide a coding demonstration and give participants an opportunity to learn elements of coding at the annual CA STEAM Symposium;
  3. outreach to encourage girls and young women to explore and enroll in STEAM courses; pursue post secondary degrees in STEAM majors that will ultimately lead to careers in STEAM;
  4. and organize a series of town hall meetings to identify specific steps for policy makers, educators, and business and community partners to engage young women in STEAM educational fields and disciplines.

The Commission and the CDE are proud to be working together to help secure a future of opportunities in STEAM careers for young women and girls in California.

Town Hall Series

The Commission and the CDE has partnered to host a series of town hall meetings throughout California to identify steps for communities to engage young women and girls in STEAM educational fields and disciplines. We will visit 4 communities in 2017 to expand the network of women and girls in STEAM. The town halls will be hosted by their local county office’s of education. The Commission is proud to sponsor this event with out partners the California Department of Education, the Los Angeles County Office of Education, the Riverside County Office of Education and the San Joaquin County Office of Education.

2017 Events

  • Los Angeles County, Arcadia  – February 22, 2017 | 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm | Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden Program and Agenda
  • Riverside County, Riverside – April 20, 2017 |  4:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Riverside County Office of Education, Conference Center Flyer
  • San Joaquin County, Stockton –  April 27, 2017 | 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm | San Joaquin County Office of Education, Conference CenteR

2018 Events

  • Los Angeles County, Arcadia  – February 28, 2018 |  Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden
  • San Diego County |  TBD
  • Shasta County | TBD
STEAM Resources

Robotics 

The Various Applications of Robots
Leg and Motion Control Design Principles
Automotive Design Principles for Future Engineers & Robotics Teams
Flow Rigs for Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer
Karakuri and the Concept of Sociable Robots
How To Build A Robot From Scratch
How To Store Hobbies (incl. technical components)
Guide to Protecting Your Hobbies

STEAM Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math 

STEAM is a growing movements to change how STEM classes are taught by incorporating art and design. Including art and design into STEM curriculum can help drive innovation in these fields.

Million Women Mentors – California (MWM-CA)

CALIFORNIA COUNTS

Million Women Mentors, California (MWM-CA) is excited to be an active part of changing the lives of young women and girls through the power of mentoring. MWM-CA has a goal of engaging at least 50,000 mentors and mentees in 2017. Through mentoring MWM-CA believes that young women and girls will gain confidence and knowledge to explore and succeed in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

  • Through the engagement of mentors our goals are to:
  • Increase the percentage of U.S. high school girls planning to pursue STEM careers.
  • Increase the percentage of U.S. young women pursuing undergraduate degrees in STEM fields.
  • Increase the percentage of U.S. women staying and advancing in STEM careers through supporting workforce mentoring programs.

MWM-CA wants to be able to help give credit where credit is due. Mentoring WILL positively affect the increase of young women and girls pursuing STEM fields. Mentoring needs to be quantified accurately so the mentoring effect will continue and grow with every generation.

MWM-CA is leading a call to action for Corporations and Individuals to register their mentor programs or themselves at http://www.millionwomenmentors.org/. Registering mentoring programs and mentoring relationships will allow for accurate data to produce accurate correlations regarding the growth of young women and girls working and thriving in STEM fields.

MWM-CA and its supporters want to encourage young women and girls to continue the mentoring effect for years to come. In order to this, please encourage corporations and individuals who already have mentoring programs to register. Together we can PROVE that mentoring relationships can change the world.

Future in STEAM Careers

Although women make up almost half of the workforce in the United States, they comprise less than 25% of workers in STEAM fields. This is reflective of STEAM culture in universities and workplaces, which are dominated by men. This creates a revolving door in which women enter STEAM fields, experience alienation by the lack of women and discrimination from their male peers, and then leave to find a more inclusive work space. Research has demonstrated that the most effective way to keep women and girls in STEAM is through the encouragement of mentors. STEAM fields can offer women broader career opportunities and higher salaries and employment is predicted to balloon by almost 17 percent between 2010 and 2020. Engaging women and girls is vital to filling these positions and to California’s future.

College and Career Readiness (High School and College)