DALLAS, Feb. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A
groundbreaking new study by the Girl Scout Research Institute
(GSRI), "Generation STEM: What Girls Say about Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Math" released nationally on
Feb. 14th, shows more than 70 percent
of high school girls across the country are interested in these
fields. While this is more than expected, this study still
shows that few girls consider STEM their number-one career option:
81 percent of girls interested in STEM would like to pursue STEM
careers, but only 13 percent say it is their first choice.
Through a partnership with Texas Instruments (TI), Girl Scouts
of Northeast Texas (GSNETX) is setting out to change these numbers.
TI is leading the way in programming to promote STEM skills to
local Girl Scouts.
This year, TI sponsored and helped launch the first ever
"engineering badge," a patch for girls in kindergarten through 12th
grade. The badge curriculum focuses on exciting, engaging and
encouraging girls at every grade level to explore STEM education
and careers. The badge will be available to all 35,000 Girl Scouts
in Northeast Texas and will be a
part of the program for the 4,400 underserved girls who experience
Girl Scouts through the "Gift of Girl Scouting".
"Girl Scouts' study found that girls' interest in STEM is higher
when they have exposure to those fields and only 46 percent of
those surveyed knew a woman in a STEM career," said Trisha Cunningham, TI Chief Citizenship
Officer. "That's why we partnered with Girl Scouts to develop
a badge program where girls can have fun learning more about STEM
and we can encourage area women engineers to get involved as role
models."
Through this programming, younger Girl Scouts will experience
STEM through hands-on projects, and older Girl Scouts will be
introduced to career choices and, most importantly, mentors in STEM
careers. Since girls typically opt out of STEM classes as early as
fifth grade, TI is eager to generate excitement about the
possibilities offered by STEM in hope that these girls will someday
choose engineering as a career, a field that continues to be
underrepresented by women.
A special part of the TI grant will fund GSNETX' College
Journey, a weeklong program at Texas Women's University that
provides high school girls the opportunity to network with
professional women in STEM careers and gain first-hand
experience.
The GSRI study also indicated that gender barriers still
persist. About half of all girls feel that STEM is not
a typical career path for girls. In fact, about 57 percent of girls
say that if they went into a STEM career, they would have to work
harder than a man just to be taken seriously.
"In my first career as an engineer, I often found myself in
classrooms full of male students," said Colleen Walker, Chief Executive Officer of
GSNETX. "In my current role, and as the mother of a Girl Scout, I
recognize that in today's world, girls need extra encouragement to
continue with STEM education. They also need to see successful
women in those fields, which is something that Girl Scouts of
Northeast Texas strives to provide
through our partnership with Texas Instruments."
STEM skills are critical for all girls, not just those who have
plans to become engineers or scientists. According to the new
research, girls that have an interest in STEM take an inquisitive
approach to learning: 85 percent like to solve problems, 83 percent
like to do hands-on science projects, and 89 percent ask questions
about how things work and find ways to answer these questions.
"This will serve them well in whatever career they pursue in the
future and Girl Scouts feels that this commitment to analytical
learning serves all girls," Walker said.
"Strong science and math skills are critical for success in high
school, college, and future career accomplishments, even beyond
engineering and science careers," Cunningham said. "At TI, we see a
great demand for female engineers so it is a natural fit for us to
partner with the largest pipeline for female leadership. We
understand that in order for girls to choose a STEM-related career,
they need a greater understanding of their opportunities and access
to successful role models."
"Throughout our 100-year history, Girl Scouts has
engaged girls in STEM interests and activities, both in and outside
the classroom," said Walker. "We know that girls want to lead in a
new way and this is why we need more partners like TI to serve 21st
century girls. This is essential not only for Girl Scouts, but for
the future leadership of our country because when girls succeed, so
does society."
About Girl Scouts of Northeast
Texas
Girl Scouts is the premiere leadership development
organization for girls and is the largest pipeline for female
leadership. For the last 100 years, Girl Scouts has built girls of
courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better
place. Girl Scouts of Northeast
Texas serves nearly 35,000 girls and 17,000 adults in 32
northeast Texas counties. For
information on how to join, volunteer, donate or reconnect to the
Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas,
call (800) 442-2260 or visit www.gsnetx.org.
About the Girl Scout Research Institute
The Girl Scout Research Institute, formed in 2000, is a vital
extension of Girl Scouts of the USA's commitment to addressing the complex and
ever-changing needs of girls. Comprised of a dedicated staff and
advisors who are experts in child development, academia,
government, business, and the not-for-profit sector, the institute
conducts groundbreaking studies, releases critical facts and
findings, and provides resources essential for the advancement of
the well-being and safety of girls living in today's world.The
institute also informs public policy and advocacy for Girl Scouting
with its research and outreach.
The Generation STEM study can be found here:
http://www.girlscouts.org/research/publications/stem/generation_stem_what_girls_say.asp
About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments semiconductor innovations help 90,000 customers
unlock the possibilities of the world as it could be – smarter,
safer, greener, healthier and more fun. Our commitment to
building a better future is ingrained in everything we do – from
the responsible manufacturing of our semiconductors, to caring for
our employees, to giving back inside our communities. This is
just the beginning of our story. Learn more at
www.ti.com.
SOURCE Texas Instruments