Building the Future of Women in STEM

We are in it together. That is the message of the Women in STEM program at Operation Breakthrough’s Ignition Lab. 

Being in high school isn’t easy; we all remember our bodies changing as fast as our friend circle, all while trying to figure out what we wanted to do with our lives. Women in STEM is about bridging both those gaps, providing high school-age young women the opportunity to build healthy peer relationships and learn about STEM careers from local professionals. 

This is not a run-of-the-mill after-school Q&A panel. To promote valuable questions and entice teens to participate, speakers collaborate with the girls to create take-home crafts ranging from making our own playing field is leveled in a way that facilitates connection.  The girls love seeing what they get to make; the messier and more glamorous, the better. This was expressed in student feedback; 89.5% of students said that getting to do a hands-on craft made them more likely to participate. Another component is a shared snack. There is something deeply uniting in eating together, even if it's just cheese and crackers (although I should probably mix it up). When we are eating, we let our guard down. A full belly equals an open mind.

From there, questions flow naturally and nothing is off limits. The girls ask questions about working in a male-dominated field, how to work with different personalities, biggest failures, and even parental pressure for college. 

The women who volunteer to speak are incredible. When you hear the real human stories, it's hard not to see yourself in the lives of others. We all deal with failure and success, unmet expectations, and societal pressures. The openness, candor, and grace that each professional provides is truly breathtaking. We have heard from Chemical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Directors, Human Resources professionals, Factory Foremen, and more! These women are doing what we all hope to do, paving the path for future generations to follow. A special thanks must go out to Black & Veatch, the Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), JE Dunn, Garmin, and more of our amazing community partners who make this program possible. 

This program isn't just focused on learning about careers; it builds essential skills. Over 85% of the participants said they agree or strongly agree that they feel more comfortable speaking with professionals because of the program. Additionally, 65% of young ladies said they either agree or strongly agree that they feel more friendly toward their peers as a result of participating. Building an empowering network has to flow in multiple directions, vertically toward higher-up professionals and horizontally toward peers. 

When the girls shared their biggest takeaways, we heard a range of responses. 

“My biggest takeaway is community matters.”

“How inspirational the women are” 

“Professionalism is important, especially when you are in a different professional environment”

At 5:00 o’clock, the formal program ends with a round of applause and the line of individual questions begins. This is the best part: when a student is so moved by a story, or so inspired by a journey, that she wants to stay connected or ask a question that she didn't want to pose to the group; that's a way success can be measured. Another way is by the laughs and smiles shared; at the heart of community is shared fun. When the young ladies are having fun– and having fun with STEM professionals, learning feels easy.  And what could feel like a lecture becomes a connection and a clear resounding message across generations: We are in it together. 

We invite you to be a part of the future of STEM in Kansas City. Collaborate with us; this program is a living organism that takes each one of us to create a lasting impact.  If you know amazing women in your organization, share this opportunity with them; if you would like to sponsor the take-home craft or communal meal, reach out. 

The fall sessions start September 21st! The following program dates are October 12th and November 9th! Sessions run from 3:45 - 5:15pm!