American Heart Association’s STEM Goes Red™ offers local students a chance to learn about opportunities in science, technology, engineerging and math while interacting with inspiring female experts and trailblazers
175 students attended the American Heart Association Northeast Ohio Stem Goes Red for Girls experience at The NEW Center at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) on Wednesday. The signature sponsor for the event was FirstEnergy.
Northeast Ohio STEM Goes Red, aims to prepare female students for the millions of science, technology, engineering, and math jobs available worldwide. Of 100 female students working toward a bachelor’s degree, only three will work in a STEM job 10 years after graduation[1], leading to persistent disparities in women’s health.
During the four-hour interactive STEM Goes Red for Girls experience, more than 170 students in 7th and 8th grade from Stark, Summit, Portage, Trumbull, Mahoning, and Columbiana counties spent the day learning from local women leaders who work directly in STEM fields.
The girls attended three sessions. The first session focused on personal protective equipment and basic work tool identification, presented by FirstEnergy. The girls were exposed to PPE equipment that is used by line workers at FirstEnergy. They were able to try on protective gloves, shoes, hard hats, and other items. The girls also tried to complete tasks while wearing the equipment to test their agility.
Another session explored heart anatomy, physiology, and health, presented by STEM Goes Red for Girls co-chair Dr. Christina Daszenzo, Dr. Christine Alexander, and Dr. Mohammad Azam. In this session, the girls were able to learn about the inner workings of the human heart and how to take blood pressure.
The final session allowed the girls to be exposed to a variety of interactive STEM activities from multiple local companies at the STEM vendor fair.
Although women fill close to half of all the jobs in the U.S. economy, they hold only 28% of jobs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)[2]. The American Heart Association, devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, brings STEM Goes Red to Northeast Ohio to help address the significant gender gap and encourage young women’s interests in STEM-based degrees and career fields including health care.
The schools attending this year’s Northeast Ohio STEM Goes Red for Girls:
Bolich Middle School
Hartford Middle School
Beaver Local Middle School
Austintown Middle School
Marlington Local
South Range Middle School
Massillon Jr. High
Liberty Local Schools
Alliance Middle School
Oakwood Middle School
Bio-Med Science Academy
Canfield Village Middle School
Copley-Fairlawn Middle School
Brown Middle School
Warren City Schools
East Canton Middle School
Canton South Middle School
Wellsville Jr. High
Stanton Middle School
Lake Middle School
Warren City Schools
“Research shows as girls advance through school, they choose fewer science and math courses,” said Lisa Wheeler-Cooper, Executive Director of the American Heart Association in Northeast Ohio. ”Advancing the next great medical breakthrough means empowering young women to take a seat at the table, improving our chances to solve problems and make game-changing discoveries to improve the health of all Americans.”
The American Heart Association’s STEM Goes Red is an extension of its long-standing Go Red for Women® movement, which is the platform for women to come together against their No. 1 killer, raise awareness for heart disease and stroke, fund lifesaving research, advocate for change and improve the lives of all women everywhere. STEM Goes Red for Girls initiative provides young women opportunities to come together and experience the exciting world of STEM, meet career mentors, network, and learn from established female executives who are paving the way for women in STEM careers.
Go Red for Women is nationally sponsored by CVS Health
