Project Proposal

Johanna Riera

Acts of Resistance: Activist, Interlopers, and Pranksters SP 19

Professor Cacoilo

March 6, 2019

Gender-Gap Project Proposal 

            STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers are known to be highly occupied my males. Statistically, women are not prevalent in such careers. According to Microsoft only, 6.7% of women graduate college with a STEM degree. After doing research, the gender gap in STEM degrees seem to be consistent across all ethnicities. In efforts to call attention to this topic, this project proposes to create a website aimed towards providing information about this gender-gap. The main component of this website would include interviews with current successful women in STEM. Such information would nurture the audience and encourage women to pursue their interests/careers. The audience for this project is not only directed for women. The purpose is to bring to question the gender imbalance in STEM degrees. Whether the reasoning is due to the result of women choosing other careers freely or whether there are stereotypes/biases holding back women from pursuing these fields.

Comparison of women and men in STEM fields and non-STEM fields. 

Comparison of proportion among races and genders in STEM
Data is consistent across all ethnicities. 

There are many theories as to “why women are falling behind  in STEM”. One of the reasons being that the STEM field is perceived to be very masculine. In other words, not a fit place for women. To counteract this theory, women are just as capable as men in this field. Another possible theory is that there are not enough women role models in the STEM field. Young girls would be more encouraged to pursue a STEM field is they were exposed to role models early on in their life. This applies to older women too, the lacking of women in STEM makes it seem as “It is impossible to accomplish”. Through this proposed website, the public would have full information that would encourage them to continue or pursue their interests despite different discrimination comments or experiences they may have encountered or heard about. The manner by which the audience would be allowed to engage would be by requesting different types of works, commenting, asking questions etc. This part of the proposal can definitely be worked on to allow the audience to engage with the project.

As a junior Biology major, I have experienced gender discrimination in various occasions/different ways. However, none of the encounters have ever paved me to second guess my career choice. Ultimately, I plan to practice medicine while also conducting scientific research. I do recognize that different comments made can/have lowered my self-esteem as a women. When conducting biomedical engineering research prior to the start of my college career, a student (male) made a comment to me “Yes this program is very selective but of course you got in, you are a women, it is easier for you”. Such a comment was very belittling unfortunately, this occurs to many women. As I proceed in my career, I recognize the male heavy occupancy. It is also a bit worrying to know that when applying to different specialties in medical school, males seem to be at preference. Example: neurosurgery. In terms of my portfolio, this project would be of benefit given that it would show future interviewers that gender-gap and stereotypes would never get in my way of pursuing my passions. Ultimately, by creating a community or even a platform where women can be encouraged would certainly make a difference. Seeing other women well established in their STEM career would be very motivating/encouraging for women.

When researching for my project the current doctor I shadow has significantly inspired me. She has her Md/Phd degree and practices advanced cardiology at Mount Sinai. I plan to interview her for this project along with a few other people. However, I do plan to continue to interview other women after this semester project comes to a conclusion by the end of the semester. In addition, Dr. Jedidah Isler was also very inspirational. She is the first woman to earn a PhD in Astrophysics from Yale. After viewing her TED talks she does a successful job in advocating women of color in science. Currently, she continues to study the origin of energy from powerful black holes, and she speaks about the importance of inclusiveness in STEM. She constantly quotes Oprah Winfrey, “You get in life what you have the courage to ask for”. This quote speaks to what this project proposes to do. Through providing such an encouraging website for women, it could build on courage for women to pursue their true passions despite gender inequality.

Dr. Jedidah Isler, Phd 

 Resources 

https://inside.collegefactual.com/stories/women-vs-men-in-stem-degrees

https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2017/03/07/inspiring-girls-stay-stem-makewhatsnext/

http://jedidahislerphd.com/