WHY STEMGirls INDIANA

Indiana has the eighth highest population of rural students in the entire United States, while the STEM education availability in rural areas is lacking primarily due to two barriers: access to necessary resources and outreach disparities, which lead to girls in rural area being consistently devalued or ignored. In some areas, girls often don’t have the opportunity to attend school past the 8th grade, and thus college is often not even thought of as an option.

The remoteness of rural schools makes opportunity access more expensive while simultaneously not receiving the help they need due to their small size. Furthermore, STEM programs rarely  specifically reach out to rural schools, thereby allowing them to slip through the cracks.  That's why this program was founded - to ensure equitable access to resources and funding for groups that need it the most.

We deliver our own specifically-tailored workshops and classes to rural students, helping them develop lifelong, applicable skills. We also connect the rich STEM culture of local universities and organizations to them, raising awareness about STEM and encouraging involvement in this field. 

STEM education is uniquely important for these kids as technological advancement becomes the future of our economy. Aside from equipping students with skills that they'll use in the workforce, STEM education also emphasizes other critical components like critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, adaptability, and digital literacy. However, there is a severe gap in access to this education among students that live in rural areas.