STEM Conference
Readiness Program
Social & Cultural Programs
Each year Women of the Dream in partnership with Drexel University host a full-day STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) conference for girls on the campus of Drexel in Philadelphia. This conference is open to all girls in grades 7-12, and features workshops on careers in STEM, preparation for careers in STEM, panel discussions featuring successful women of color in STEM, STEM games, and other hands-on activities, gifts, and giveaways.
Exposing girls to careers in STEM, particularly girls from underserved areas, is critical because women are significantly underrepresented in STEM majors and careers. Women make up only 28% of the workforce in STEM, and men vastly outnumber women majoring in most STEM fields in college. The gender gaps are particularly high in some of the fastest-growing and highest-paid jobs of the future, like computer science and engineering.
Our annual conference provides the foundation for our girls to pursue STEM careers and will ultimately help narrow the gender gap in STEM.
Women of the Dream’s first annual STEM Conference for Girls on the campus of Drexel University in Philadelphia, May 2016. Close to 150 girls from Camden and the surrounding area attended the conference.
STEM conference participants proudly display their certificates during the 2nd annual STEM Conference for Girls, May 2017.
Dr. Seville Holder, a resident physician at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, addresses the audience on what it takes to become a physician. It’s important for girls of color to meet and network with women of color in STEM.
A panel of successful women of color in STEM share success tips with conference attendees at the STEM Conference for Girls, May 2018.
Games and other hands-on activities are an important part of our STEM conference.
Lauen Smith, a high school senior, was the keynote speaker at the 2018 STEM Conference for Girls. Lauren developed an app that provides tutoring for STEM for students at her high school. She is well on her way to a successful career in STEM!
Tarik Patterson, Mechanical Engineer, conducts a presentation on the mechanics of roller coasters! Entitled “Let’s Ride,” he states, “Every year thousands of kids jump on and off roller coasters with no thought to the fact that somebody had to make those roller coasters.