Raleigh, NC  USA  2/1/2024

“Diversity is America’s unique advantage in science and technology,” said National Science Foundation (NSF) Director Sethuraman Panchanathan upon the release of a report on Diversity and STEM: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities 2023, by NSF’s National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics ( NCSES). “Our global leadership depends upon diversity, leveraging different backgrounds, experiences, and points of view to bring unique insights to problem solving and discovery.”

The report showed underrepresented minorities in STEM (women, Black, Hispanic, American Indian, and Alaska Native people collectively) made progress diversifying STEM workforce and earning more degrees in science and engineering fields over the past decade. As we celebrate the Black History Month, it is worthwhile to note that Black workers made up 9% of the STEM workforce in 2021.  

Moni Singh or Moni Ms. STEM, a STEM education pioneer and Founder/CEO of STEM For Kids, said “for all involved with STEM education, directly or indirectly, formally or informally, notably the preK-12 educators represented by organizations* like NSTA, ASTC, CSTA, NCTM, PTA, Child Care Aware of America, NGCP, NSBE, AAAS, and our own STEM For Kids global network, the NSF report shows an undeniable progress towards access and equity in STEM education and careers.” She continued “We also know that a lot more needs to be done to come closer to proportional representation.”

Looking specifically at the Black population, Black students earned only 5% of the bachelor’s degrees in engineering. Also, while they make up 12% of the total workforce, their representation in STEM jobs is only 9%. 

 

Inspiring diversity in STEM requires both educators and caregivers working together to create a nurturing and inclusive environment. Various strategies include:

1. Providing Exposure and Representation – By showcasing diverse STEM role models, celebrating their scientific achievements, and integrating diverse perspectives into lesson plans. 
2. Enabling Engagement and Activities – By making STEM learning hands-on fun and real, encouraging collaboration and problem-solving.
3. Breaking Barriers and Support – By addressing implicit bias, providing early STEM literacy resources, and connecting children with mentoring. 

“At STEM For Kids, we have been paving the way for engaging diverse students since 2011. Our innovative lessons and 4-dimensional method, all designed to make STEM fun and real,” said Ms STEM who authored the children’s rhyming biographical book, STEM Icons – Celebrating Black History, to present inspiring stories of some of the iconic African-American men and women whose inventions, discoveries and research have advanced our world.

Meanwhile, franchisee Ermias Hailemariam, with his team of 31 geniuses specializing in various fields ranging from biochemistry, mechanical and biomedical engineering, is focused on empowering future African inventors and scientists in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia utilizing the same proven STEM For Kids system. 

“Mission driven towards impacting STEM education for all, our work continues…” added Ms. STEM. 

* Organizations mentioned in this release include National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA), Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC), Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), Child Care Aware of America, National Parent Teacher Association (PTA), National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and STEM For Kids.

STEM For Kids® enables purpose-driven educators and entrepreneurs to bring life- and career-readiness skills to preK-8 children in their communities. 

With over 1500 hours of STEM activities in various themes covering engineering (aerospace, civil, mechanical, environmental, bio-medicine), technology (coding, robots, Artificial Intelligence, Internet Of Things), business and social emotional learning, educators, parents and students have a lot to get excited about. 

STEM For Kids® ranked #173 on the highly coveted Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 list. With a growing network of STEM For Kids® operators, educators, trained teachers, and franchisees, we have impacted numerous communities across the globe. Add your community now, https://teach4d.stemforkids.net/edu-services 

For media inquiries contact sales@stemforkids.net .