Celebrating Women In STEM

We at StudySmarter want to drive a STEM Femininomenon. We want to encourage women to pursue careers in STEM with our free all-in-one learning platform and expert-verified explanations that simplify many STEM topics. We also want to spread more knowledge about women getting into STEM careers by signposting books, scholarships, and websites. Whether women are interested in coding, biology, or astrophysics, there should be no limits in the career fields women can excel at!

 

Introducing FEMSTEM

So what does women in STEM mean?

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. When we talk about women in STEM, we’re referring to the involvement, achievements, and contributions of women in these traditionally male-dominated fields. Over the years, there’s been growing recognition of the need for gender diversity in these areas, as diverse teams often lead to more innovation and broader perspectives.

Women in STEM Awareness Days

Basically, promoting awareness has been a core tenant of encouraging women into science and maths. Check out the following awareness days that females can observe and participate in!

• International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11th February 2025)
• Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (23rd February 2025)
• Women’s History Month (March 2025)
• International Women’s Day (8th March 2025)

 

Are Women Underrepresented in STEM?

Yes, women are still underrepresented in STEM. Despite advancements in gender equality, men continue to dominate many STEM fields. Societal stereotypes, lack of role models, and implicit biases contribute to this disparity. Although efforts are being made to encourage more women to pursue STEM careers, there’s still significant work to be done to close the gender gap.

 

Women in STEM Fields

The participation of women in STEM varies by field. While biology and healthcare have seen more women entering these areas, fields like engineering, physics, and computer science remain heavily male-dominated. Women in STEM face unique challenges, such as gender biases, unequal pay, and fewer leadership opportunities. 

However, many women have been working for decades to break these barriers and excel in these fields. From Katherine Johnson to Grace Hopper and Augusta Ada King, women have worked hard to pave the way for future generations; for women today.

 

How Many Women Are in STEM?

Globally, women account for about 28% of the STEM workforce. However, this percentage fluctuates depending on the specific field and region. For example, in the United States, women hold about 46% of all jobs but occupy only 24% of STEM jobs. These numbers highlight the ongoing need for initiatives that support women pursuing careers in STEM.

Women in STEM Statistics

• Representation: Women make up only 28% of the STEM workforce globally.
• Engineering: Only 15% of engineers are women.
• Computer Science: Women represent just 20% of computer science professionals.
• STEM Degrees: Women earn 35% of STEM degrees, but only a fraction pursue careers in these fields.

These numbers highlight the gender gap in STEM and emphasise the need for more inclusive education and workplace policies.

Check out STEMwomen.com for more women in STEM statistics!

Famous Women in STEM

Many women have made groundbreaking contributions to STEM fields, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps. Some notable figures include:

• Marie Curie: A physicist and chemist who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains the only person to have won Nobel Prizes in two different sciences.
• Katherine Johnson: A mathematician whose calculations were critical to NASA’s space missions, including the first American orbital flight.
• Ada Lovelace: Often regarded as the world’s first computer programmer, she made significant contributions to early computing.
• Rosalind Franklin: Played a key role in discovering DNA’s double helix structure.

 

Books About Women’s Scientific Contributions

If you’re looking for inspiration or want to learn more about women’s contributions to STEM, several books can provide valuable insights:

• Hidden Figures (2016) by Margot Lee Shetterly: This book tells the story of African-American female mathematicians who worked at NASA and were pivotal in the success of the U.S. space program.
• The Glass Universe (2016) by Dava Sobel: A fascinating account of women astronomers at Harvard who made significant contributions to our understanding of the stars.
• Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World (2016) by Rachel Ignotofsky: This beautifully illustrated book highlights the achievements of women in various scientific fields.

 

FEM STEM Focused Scholarships

To encourage more women to pursue careers in STEM, several scholarships are available:

• Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to women studying in engineering, technology, or computing fields.
• Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship: This program supports women in technology-related degrees.
• Amelia Earhart Fellowship: This scholarship supports women pursuing advanced degrees in aerospace-related sciences and engineering.
• AAUW Selected Professions Fellowships: These fellowships support women in fields where they are underrepresented, including STEM disciplines.

By offering financial aid and support, these scholarships aim to reduce barriers for women and encourage their participation in STEM fields.

 

Closing the Gender Gap

While progress has been made in increasing the number of women in STEM, there’s still a long way to go for a STEM Femininomenon. Promoting role models, providing mentorship, and offering educational opportunities are essential steps to ensure that more women enter and thrive in these fields. Gender diversity in STEM is not only a matter of fairness but also a key driver of innovation and progress. By encouraging women to pursue and excel in STEM careers, we all stand to benefit from women’s contributions!