5 Surprising Statistics About Women in STEM

March marks Women’s History Month, a time dedicated to honoring and celebrating the invaluable contributions of women to our society, especially in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Despite progress, women have long been underrepresented in STEM education and careers. Men significantly outnumber women in most STEM majors at college, and disparities in pay persist, further widening the gender pay gap. We’ve compiled a few surprising stats about women in STEM:

1) Women make up 26% of the STEM workforce.

2) Men in STEM earn nearly $15,000 more annually than women.

3) 31% of students enrolled in STEM courses are women. 

4) 21% of engineering majors are women.

5) 19% of computer and information science majors are women.

  1. (Stem Women, 2023)

Representation plays a crucial role in shaping the beliefs and aspirations of young girls. Seeing themselves reflected in diverse roles and professions validates their potential and instills confidence in their abilities. Having positive female STEM role models in mainstream media fosters a sense of belonging. Here are a few modern women who are paving the way for future generations:

Emily Calandrelli (@thespacegal)

A science communicator and former MIT engineer, Emily hosts and produces Xploration Outer Space and Emily's Wonder Lab on Netflix, aiming to inspire young girls in STEM fields (Blankson, 2018).

Katalin Karikó

A recent award-winning women in STEM, Katalin is the leading mRNA researcher for BioNTech who developed one of the first COVID-19 vaccines in 2020. Her pioneering work in biochemistry has had global significance (Ayroso, 2023).

Xyla Foxlin (@xylafoxlin)

Xyla uses her YouTube channel (@xylafoxlin) to empower diverse young audiences to engage in STEM projects, advocating for inclusivity and breaking gender stereotypes in technical fields (Blankson, 2018).

There are many more extraordinary women who defied odds and shattered stereotypes in the fields of STEM. STEM jobs remain among the most in-demand today, with fields like STEM projected to grow an additional 11% from 2021 to 2030 according to the US Bureau of Labor.

At Mercy Works, we urge young girls to seize this momentum and pursue STEM education. We offer STEM-based programs to continue dismantling barriers and amplifying diverse voices. By fostering a culture of belonging, we can harness the full potential of young women and drive innovation and progress for generations to come.

The journey towards gender equity in STEM is far from over. Closing the gender gap in STEM fields requires a coordinated effort of educators, parents, and, of course, the students themselves. With your support, we can inspire our young women to not only dream of a career in STEM but to make it a reality. To stay updated on the latest Mercy Works programming, sign up for our monthly newsletter below.

References:

Nati Torrence