Empowering Girls for STEM Careers – It's Not Rocket Science
Members of Montclair Community Join to Move the Needle
Athena Collaborative Group, a non-profit dedicated to expanding the population of women thriving in quantitative careers, hosted this week with Montclair State University a Community Action Summit on Preparing Girls for Math and Science Careers.
The purpose was to create a “Montclair Girls Agenda” to ready girls for a full range of careers, including high-paying math and science based roles, by ensuring they:
·Thrive in Math and Science education
·Move beyond societal constraints, if any apply
·Stay open to the possibility of STEM* careers
·Build the skills and confidence that will prepare them for a future without limits
*Science Technology Engineering and Math
Montclair’s Mayor Fried graciously kicked off the event. Parents, teachers, students, STEM professionals, and community groups collaborated to identify needs and develop a plan. Interested community members are invited to participate in the implementation of the following projects in Montclair:
·Teaching Parents Math
·Role Models and STEM Careers
·“March Mathness” - a Celebration of Math in Our Community
·Survey on Families' Attitudes Toward Math
·Website/List of Existing Resources
·Student to Student Tutoring
·Improve Math Preparedness of Elementary School Teachers
Said Margaret R. Sáraco, Math Teacher, Mt Hebron Middle School, “There are many passionate people who have specific feelings and opinions about why girls do not participate in the STEM disciplines, and they are motivated to change this paradigm.”
Added Angela de la Rosa, Owner and Center Director of Mathnasium of Montclair, “There is a group in Montclair that is really trying to build awareness of the importance of math for girls and everyone can benefit from it - including boys, parents, teachers and the whole community.”
For more information or to volunteer, contact Christina DelliSanti-Miller at Athena Collaborative Group (212) 551-1023 or visit www.athenacollaborative.org
