Why is it important to support women in STEM?
"Supporting women science, technology engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students and researchers is not only an essential part of America’s strategy to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world; it is also important to women themselves. Women in STEM jobs earn 33 percent more than those in non-STEM occupations and experience a smaller wage gap relative to men. And STEM careers offer women the opportunity to engage in some of the most exciting realms of discovery and technological innovation. Increasing opportunities for women in these fields is an important step towards realizing greater economic success and equality for women across the board." - the White House - Office of Science and Technology
How will AWIS-ND use the donations?
Our goal for the 2016 - 2017 academic year is to create:
- First ever regional Women in STEM Conference - There is currently no Women in STEM conference in the Midwestern Region, and we will fix that with your generous donation. Our greatest challenge is funding traveling expenses and honorariums for top speakers across the nation to come and providing traveling grants for students who cannot afford to attend otherwise.
- STEMentorship Program - One of the biggest issues women face in STEM is the lack of support and mentorship; called the pipeline problem. Our STEMentorship program targets part of this issue by providing mentors to ND freshmen and sophomores embarking on their undergraduate journey; offering guidance and advice, sharing our own struggles and stories and perhaps most importantly, listening to theirs. We started this program last year and will continue it next year with more social activities and opportunities for mentors to meet their mentee.
- ND Pi Day 5K - We have raised $8,600 for STEM and running programs at Harrison Primary (a economically disadvantaged school) through the Boys and Girls Club. Our biggest suggestion from ND Pi Day 5K participants for expanding this event (and raising even more funds for Boys and Girls Club) is incorporating chip timing. Unfortunately, chip timing cost at least $1,000, which, for the last two years, we believed could be better spent on supporting the Boys and Girls Club. If we raise enough money, we will provide chip timing at the 3rd Annual Pi Day 5K.
Association for Women in Science-Notre Dame
MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to initiate, encourage, and engage women in science, technology engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in a welcoming and supportive environment, creating a sense of belonging and providing opportunities for success.
OUR MEMBERS: AWIS-ND members are female, STEM graduate students engaged in research at the University of Notre Dame. Many of our members are researching ways to cure cancer, study how stars work, protect your data privacy, develop personalize medicine, and improve education; to name a few.
For more information and to check out all our amazing activities, go to our website: AWIS-ND!
What activities does AWIS-ND host?
As the most active graduate student group at the University of Notre Dame, the Association for Women in Science - Notre Dame will use your generous donation to continue our numerous community outreach, professional development, and social events.
Here are a few of the many events we organize!
COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Our largest outreach event is the ND Pi Day 5K, where we raised over $8,600 for STEM and running programs at Harrison Primary (a economically disadvantaged school) through the Boys and Girls Club. This amazing organization provides primary school students with a safe and fun space after school, while teaching them how to love and care for themselves and others through healthy activities-culminating in their own 5K run. In addition, we volunteer at the:
- St. Joseph County Library's Science Alive - We provided hands on STEM activities for over 700 children.
- Expanding Your Horizons Conference - "This day-long event will include hands-on activities in STEM. At the conference, girls in middle school (6th - 8th grade) will get a chance to meet STEM role models and learn more about careers in those fields. Our ultimate goal is to motivate girls to become innovative and creative thinkers ready to meet 21st Century challenges."
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Once a month, AWIS-ND hosts the STEM Lunches, where speakers present on campus resources, professional development information, current research, or general advice as a woman in STEM. These lunches provide invaluable resources and information as well as an environment for women to meet across the various STEM fields.
SOCIALS: The AWIS-ND hosts a variety of socials to bring together members of the University of Notre Dame - students, faculty, and staff - who would otherwise not. These socials provide a supportive and relaxing environment as well as opportunities to network. For instance: we hosted a knit-a-thon with snacks and free yarn for knitters on and off campus to knit baby clothes for St. Margaret's House.