It is projected that job opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) will grow more than seven percent faster than job opportunities in non-STEM fields through 2018. Despite this positive employment outlook, women hold less than one quarter of STEM positions today. To help reverse this trend, Mayim Bialik is partnering with DeVry University for National HerWorld Month to show high school girls how they can make a difference in their world through STEM.
Now in its 16th year, DeVry University’s HerWorld program educates high school girls about in-demand STEM careers and inspires them to achieve their college and career goals. Bialik hosted a HerWorld event in New York City on March 8, one of the 23 HerWorld events taking place across the country this month. This year, it is anticipated that more than 7,000 young women from hundreds of high schools nationwide will participate.
“Science, technology, engineering and math have lacked visible female role models in the past, and high school girls often perceive the curriculum for these subjects as less approachable,” said Bialik, who holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Neuroscience and currently stars as a scientist in CBS’s comedy show, The Big Bang Theory. “HerWorld challenges this perception by giving teenage girls a platform to experience the excitement of STEM firsthand. It engages them in the unique stories of successful women who are making a difference by introducing new innovations and leading initiatives that change lives and inspire enthusiasm about the world of STEM.”
Above: Bialik interacts with local high school students Crystal Chen of New Utrecht H.S. in Brooklyn, Nadia Baba of Belmont Preparatory H.S. in The Bronx, Jennifer Vaksh of August Martin H.S. in Jamaica, and Sara Shanaj of New Utrecht H.S. in Brooklyn.
To read the full article, please visit the Queens Gazette.
