ENGINEERING OPPORTUNITIES

the prospect of being the only girl in a classroom full of boys dissuades them from signing up for courses such as programming and engineering. Peer encouragement is a popular method of persuasion at our age, and I hope that my being so vocal about the extra STEM offerings inspires more female students to let their interests in these areas of study overpower their fears of being alone in them.”

Having two women teaching these courses is further reinforcement that there is a place for them in these fields, notes Lennig. She is quick to add, however, that the knowledge imparted is not restricted to specific coding, designing, and engineering skills. “Our expanded course offerings also teach students important problem-solving skills and prepare them to become more active users and creators of technology, rather than simply passive consumers,” says Lennig.

Expanding opportunities to apply learning

Middle School computer science teacher Emma Bartnick couldn’t agree more. “I’m incredibly excited about our new department. I think our Middle School curriculum—all of which is new this year—will inspire our students to get excited about potential careers in computer science and engineering as well as open their eyes to the broader potential of technology.”

Like Lennig, Bartnick is also enthusiastic about igniting the imagination of middle school–age girls. “Getting more women into STEM fields requires catching them before the stereotypes about women’s abilities in math and science are entrenched,” she notes. “Studies show that by the time many girls reach high school they believe that they aren’t as good at math or other STEM subjects, so exposure is critical.”

And the field is evolving so quickly, continues Bartnick, that today’s computer science major could just as easily work in medicine or the arts as in tech. “We recently heard presentations from a panel of alumni working in jobs that didn’t even exist ten years ago, and they were all in STEM fields,” she observes. “As a teacher, I find it exciting to introduce students to these potential careers as well as engage them in solving real-world problems.”