Why Girls Need Role Models in STEM More Than Ever

"Studies have shown that if girls were exposed to female inventors during childhood at the same rate as boys are exposed to male inventors, the gender gap in innovation would fall by half," says Tara Chklovski, PhD, Founder and CEO of Technovation, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young girls and women with technology and entrepreneurship skills.

The United States government's recent executive order on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) is a setback not only for women scientists but also for the future of girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). The order forced NASA to shut down diversity programs and place DEIA staff on leave.

This meant that women scientists, engineers, students and aspiring astronauts lost access to resources and programs that offered mentorship, professional development opportunities, funding and a supportive network to navigate and succeed in a male-dominated field. This will affect Americans, but it will also affect Canadian girls—and people around the world—who consume American media or simply look to NASA as a centre of scientific excellence.

"Decades of research show that what works to inspire girls to consider and excel in STEM careers is a combination of role models, non-judgmental, safe spaces, and sandboxes (free of social norms and stereotypes) to explore, student-centric curriculum, mentorship, and community support," Chklovski explains. "Without specific support, fewer girls and women will go into these fields, meaning they will not have access to some of the most influential and financially strong careers."

Women are already underrepresented in STEM

"From my observations and research, women currently represent about 28 percent of the workforce in STEM occupations," says Brooke Buchanan, an electrical engineer and commissioning manager at Meade Engineering. "In my own experience as a chemical engineer, I’ve noticed that while approximately half of the students in my program were women, only a small percentage advanced to higher education or secured roles in the industry."

We're still seeing a sizable gender gap in STEM. According to Buchanan, women earn only around 20 percent of bachelor’s degrees in engineering and about 18 percent in computer science.

"While the number of female applicants for STEM subjects across universities has surpassed that of men," she says, "the proportion of women currently enrolled in science-based courses remains stagnant at 31 percent, a figure that has barely changed over the past decade."

"More concerning is the minimal representation of Hispanic and African American women, with just 2,000 graduates each per year," says Chklovski.

The importance of women role models in STEM

Constance Mantle, CEO of SaveMyExams—an online educational platform that provides high-quality revision resources for a range of subjects with a strong focus on STEM fields—says it's crucial for young girls to have role models in STEM.

“Seeing women in these traditionally male-dominated fields fosters a sense of belonging, encouraging girls to pursue their own dreams and ambitions," Mantle explains. "Research tells us that exposure to female role models in STEM increases the likelihood of girls considering a STEM career by 33 percent."

How mentorship helps

Cristen Jones, a mathematics high school teacher at Pearson Online Academy, says young women need women STEM leaders as mentors, not just as role models.

Nhon Ma, CEO of Numerade, an education technology company, adds, "Mentorship can have a profound impact on ensuring women’s retention, job satisfaction and career advancement in STEM. Studies have concluded that mentors have a particularly positive impact on STEM experiences for women. STEM is difficult and having mentors to help along the STEM journey is critical."

Buchanan has also seen the positive impacts of mentorship programs firsthand. "These programs help demystify STEM fields and create supportive environments where young women feel encouraged to pursue their interests. By showcasing the accomplishments of women in engineering and other STEM areas, we can inspire the next generation and foster a more inclusive community."

Why role models are so important

Ma suggests that having women role models in STEM fields helps young girls perform better in science and math subjects at school.

"Society often whispers (or shouts) that girls aren’t 'naturally' good at these subjects—female role models disprove that nonsense," he says. "They show up as living proof, boosting confidence through relatability and real-world success."

Ma also points out that the impact of role models changes across different age groups, from elementary to high school students. He explains, "In elementary school, role models are critical in sparking girls' natural curiosity in STEM. Making it fun and relatable positively reinforces that STEM should not just be relegated to boys. Middle school is when role models have the greatest impact. At this time, puberty sets in, and role models are critical to counter the 'math is for boys' bias."

Once girls reach high school, he says STEM mentors and role models become critical, as students start to consider their college and career choices. He continues, "This is where role models can help girls navigate pathways in STEM. Role models that showcase real-world success and provide opportunities for girls to go deeper into various STEM fields are key."

STEM programs that break barriers

Girls Who Code

Certain programs support girls' interest in STEM. Mantle highlights Girls Who Code, a nonprofit that teaches girls computing skills.

“The Girls Who Code program is one of the most noticeable examples of such initiatives," she explains. "Founded in 2012, the organization offers programs for high school girls to learn coding. After completing their programs, 95 percent of alumni expressed a desire to pursue a career in computer science."

Million Women Mentors

Gayle Keller, chief Reinvention Officer and founder of Theodora S.T.E.A.M. Girls, notes that Million Women Mentors is another initiative supporting girls in STEM.

"This program focuses on mentorship opportunities," Keller explains. "Having accessible mentors to encourage women's participation in STEM is invaluable. Knowing more female pioneers who have paved the way provides learning opportunities and a safe space to exchange ideas. Such communities are known to boost confidence and productivity."

NASA's 5 Million Investment In Women's Colleges

Beyond programs, there have also been investments to help support women in STEM. Keller points to NASA's 2023 $5 million investment in women's colleges to help support women in STEM fields.

"NASA's $5 million investment in women's colleges is a valuable step toward attracting and retaining more women in STEM fields," she says. "However, to make a significant impact, more organizations need to invest in women pursuing STEM majors. Although the number of women majoring in STEM is on the rise, STEM graduates are still predominantly male. The path to equity and equality has never been more important as we continue to narrow the gender gap."

Technovation

This global non-profit inspires girls and young women to pursue careers in technology. One compelling example Chklovski shares is the story of Victory Yinka-Banj, a Technovation alumna from Lagos, Nigeria. "Victory Yinka-Banj, a Technovation alumna from Lagos, Nigeria, was offered 19 scholarships worth more than $5 million," she says."She is now a student at MIT whose interest in technology was sparked through her participation in Technovation while still in high school."

What can we do about it?

Make STEM fun

There are plenty of ways parents can help foster a love of STEM in their daughters. One way, according to Tim Conlin, the vice president of marketing and innovation at Elenco Electronics, a STEM toy company, is by making STEM an approachable and fun experience.

"Hands-on, tactile activities like building a circuit, coding a simple game, or experimenting with household items to create chemical reactions can help kids see the direct impact of their curiosity," Conlin explains. "It is also important to normalize STEM play early through open-ended toys and experiments that encourage trial and error. This fosters resilience and creativity, the foundation of all STEM fields."

Encourage exploration and curiosity

Geillan Aly, Ph.D., the founder and CEO of Compassionate Math, says that parents should also encourage their children to explore STEM topics and ask questions.

"Parents can foster a love of STEM in their girls by encouraging them to ask questions and explore possible solutions and answers to them," she explains. "That's really what it comes down to. From there, it's about how you foster this love."

Try extracurricular activities

Parents can encourage their daughters to participate in extracurricular STEM activities.

According to Conlin, "These include robotics clubs, coding workshops, and maker spaces. They provide dynamic spaces to build, tinker, and innovate, while coding programs foster mentorship and teamwork, boosting confidence and skills."

Watch STEM content together

Hayat Hokayem, Ph.D., a professor of science education, also encourages families to watch STEM content together.

"Parents can expose their girls to some shows like Eleanor Wonders or Wild Kratts on PBS," says Hokayam. "National Geographic documentaries are also excellent to watch with the kids and start the conversation. In fact, curiosity is the main component for any scientist, so keeping girls curious and trying to find ways to satisfy their curiosity and push it further is what it takes to push kids towards science."

Schedule free time

While encouragement is a step in the right direction, Aly says parents should allow their children to explore on their own.

"Your child should have plenty of free time in their schedule to wander, get bored, and explore for themselves," she says. "A lot of science, and a love of science, often comes from observing our own worlds. We schedule too many activities for children and it doesn't give their minds an opportunity to play and try new things. After all, Velcro was first invented when an engineer returned from a walk with his dog and saw little balls of the burdock plant sticking to his dog's fur."

The bottom line

"I’m convinced that strong female STEM role models are key to closing the gender gap in science and technology over the long haul," says Ma. "They don’t just inspire—they reshape the ecosystem. Girls who see women excelling in STEM are more likely to enter and stay in these fields, creating a ripple effect. Over time, this shifts demographics. More women in STEM means more mentors, leaders, and innovators—normalizing female presence and chipping away at the boys’ club vibe. It’s a flywheel: as women rise, they influence hiring, policy, and culture, cutting bias and opening doors."

Experts: 

• Tara Chklovski, PhD, is the founder and CEO of Technovation, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young girls and women with technology and entrepreneurship skills.
• Brooke Buchanan is an electrical engineer and commissioning manager at Meade Engineering.
• Constance Mantle is the CEO of SaveMyExams, an online educational platform that provides high-quality revision resources for a range of subjects, with a strong focus on STEM fields.
• Tim Conlin is the vice president of marketing and innovation at Elenco Electronics, a STEM toy company
• Geillan Aly, Ph.D., is the founder and CEO of Compassionate Math, a company that aims to bring a more compassionate approach to teaching math.
• Hayat Hokayem, Ph.D.Professor of Science Education
•  Cristen Jones is a mathematics high school teacher at Pearson Online Academy.
•  Nhon Ma is the CEO at Numerade, an education technology company based in Los Angeles.