Women Teach Girl Scouts About STEM, Nontraditional Jobs

Ashlee Sakamoto (from left) of Girl Scout Troop 84, Hayden Rice of Troop 445 and Jennifer Leong of Troop 293 participate in last month’s STEM Fest 2014 at Webling Elementary School in Aiea. Photo from Valerie Moore.

Webling Elementary School recently hosted STEM Fest 2014, at which female volunteers from science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers shared facts and activities with Girl Scouts.

“This is only the second year we have held this event and the increase in the number of girls participating this year was phenomenal,” stated Girl Scouts of Hawaii CEO Shari Chang.

“Every girl needs a chance to explore the fascinating world of STEM, and Girl Scouting encourages girls of all ages by offering ‘fun with purpose’ through its K–12 national program.”

Volunteers came to the Aiea school from nontraditional fields like anthropology, geology, civil engineering, helicopter operations, Army medical corps, nursing, children’s disaster advocacy, missile systems technology, veterinary medicine, math education and Native Hawaiian and indigenous health.

“As more women enter into traditionally male-dominated careers,” Chang added, “it’s important for leadership organizations to expose the girls to all the potential professions.”