This content was created by Girlboss, in partnership with Smartsheet.
A young girl’s interest in STEM is decided between ages 11 and 15, according to KRC Research. Many of us aren’t introduced to the possibility of a career in science, technology, engineering and math during this crucial time, and that’s why only 34 percent of STEM jobs are held by women today, with even fewer in computer science and engineering.
Girlstart is on a mission to change that. Through out-of-school programming, they’re increasing girls’ interest and engagement in STEM. Girlstart’s executive director Shane Woods sat down with Nora U. (left), 11, and Josie M. (right), 12, two participants of the summer camp program, to chat about what the term “girlboss” means to them, what they want to be when they grow up, and what they would say to those who dare get in their way.
Shane Woods: What is your favorite memory of Girlstart?
Nora U.: “When we got to do VR—like the ocean one. It was really fun because when you moved the joysticks, it felt like you were actually moving, and there were sharks and stuff.”
Josie M.: “3D printing and designing on the computer. It was just really cool because at the end of the week, we got 3D-modeled cells.”
Shane: What’s something that you learned at Girlstart summer camp that you might not have learned in class?
Nora: “When you do programming, you have to be very instructive to the robot because otherwise, it won't be very smart. So, it will just go in random directions, and you won't be able to control it. Normally, when you work with [robots], it's really easy to tell them something. But with Spheros, which was the robot that we were using, it needed to be instructed very precisely.”
Josie: “We got to talk to a person who worked in the medical software field. That really taught me more about their job and how they use it in everyday life. And it was just cool to see, like, all that. And I don't think I would have gotten that with just school.”
Shane: “I had a chance to teach seventh and eighth grade science, which I enjoyed. I loved being able to do not only science investigations, but to really expose the students in my class to new things and to new careers. Now, this is a very big question. (I'm on my seventh job, so don't feel like you have to have it all mapped out). What do you think you want to be when you grow up?”
Josie: “I want to be an engineer because I feel like that really suits my personality, but I don't know which [kind]. I mean, I like building, but there are so many options.”
Nora: “I think that I would want to be a mechanical engineer, because I like to do hands-on activities, and not just always doing stuff on the computer. We have this career discovery class, at my middle school, where we map out different careers and find their salary, the best places for that job and stuff like that. So, I feel like that'd be my job that I'd pick.”
Shane: “That is great. Something that we hope to do at Girlstart is help you feel like, ‘Yeah, that's where I belong.’ Because as both of y'all know, I'm sure you've heard engineering is not always friendly to women. And so, to already know that y'all think you can do it, that’s amazing. If you were to tell a person who had no clue what Girlstart is, what would you say?”
Nora: “It's like school but better. Like you're more free. And you can do whatever you want. But it's more STEM-based. So you get to do engineering and programming and 3D modeling, stuff like that. And [you’re not just doing] everyday school activities. You're actually doing hands-on activities, and you get to meet new people and do new stuff.”
Josie: “Girlstart is a place that really opens your eyes to different STEM fields and activities. And it's just an accepting environment for all girls to share connections with.”
Shane: “My daughter never saw anyone do human-centered design and engineering. She grew up as a left-handed human who realized she was tired of everything being for right-handed people and she wanted to know, ‘How can I change that?’ I would love to know one more thing: What inspires you about science, technology, engineering and math?”
Josie: “I can accomplish something, and the end result is usually pretty cool. And I just love to see what I can create.”
Nora: “Whatever you do will [turn] into something and make a difference. And it's just, like, exciting to see.”
Shane: “I knew that it was okay to like science and math. My grandfather was a woodshop teacher. He always told me that the tools have no idea who's holding them so they're not biased against women. And I also learned that it was okay to be smart. It was okay to like these hard classes and to be a paleontologist. I wanted to dig up dinosaurs. I wanted to be an astronaut. I wanted to do all these things. And I didn't have anyone who told me I couldn't. What would you say to somebody if they said engineering is not for you?"
Josie: “I’d probably find a way to try to prove them wrong. Or try to find a way to convince them that, like, I can do it and that they're definitely wrong.”
Nora: “Yeah, I'd kind of say the same thing. But I’d also tell them that they don't know about my personal life. You can do whatever you want. And it's not their choice.”
Shane: “Mic drop, that is exactly what I had to do. I had to tell my fifth grade teacher. The kids across the hallway were building models, they were shooting off rockets. My teacher said, ‘This class doesn't do that.’ I didn't like that answer. So, I talked to my grandfather, the woodshop teacher, who also happened to be the athletic director. That same year, when my teacher told me I couldn't do it, I won the invention convention to prove to her that yes, I was capable of doing it, I just wasn't given the opportunity. So hopefully, Girlstart is giving you all that opportunity to find what you want to be when you grow up, to help you encourage those girls around you who have no clue what they want to be, or who have, unfortunately, been told that it's not for them, so that y'all can be right behind them. What does Girlboss mean to you?”
Nora: “Girls lead and they rule and they can control—and they're not controlled—but they can do their own thing.”
Josie: “Girls are strong and they shouldn’t be shot down. They should only be lifted up.”
Girlstart is the latest non-profit to be selected by Smartsheet as part of their Sponsor X initiative, where Smartsheet replaces their logo on the McLaren Formula 1 race cars with a non-profit’s logo at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 20-22, 2023.
