The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to investigate the role of mentoring on preventing attrition of females in STEM pathways. This particular study examined mentoring sampled women currently in cybersecurity and engineering professions, though the study and subsequent results could be easily applied to other professions. The…

Athena Swan was established in 2005 with the goal of advancing the careers of women in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine) subjects in higher education. Since then, it has expanded its remit in various ways and has generated some controversy. This paper explains how Athena Swan operates as a policy-scoring scheme,…

This study investigates the effect of a female STEM professional mentoring program on perceptions among K-12 female participants. Led by STEM professionals, the program aims to enhance understanding of STEM careers. The findings reveal significant changes in the K-12 females' attitude and career aspirations towards STEM following their involvement…

Middle school Black girls in the Chicagoland area encounter challenges when engaging in Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) learning and developing individual STEM identities. Black girls with good grades in STEM courses are reluctant to pursue STEM careers because of the negative stereotypes they face in school (King & Pringle,…

The science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields have a well-documented racialized and gendered participation gap between males, particularly white males, and women of color (WOC). Through a Critical Race Feminist lens, this qualitative research study uses life-story narrative analysis to understand the experiences of eleven WOC who…

While there is an accelerating demand for professionals in Science Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers, African-American females (AAF) continue to remain disproportionately represented. Increasing the representation of AAF in STEM is vital to the U.S. workforce. Considerations of both external and internal barriers that impede…

This study explored factors impacting the decision for gifted females to pursue a career in computer science. The study used a phenomenological approach to delve into the experiences of ten gifted alumnae of The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science (Gatton), a residential STEM program, aiming to reveal nuanced insights into factors shaping…

Background: The Dogwood Mountain School System (DMSS) faces the challenge of trying to address the apparent drop-off of female student interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and increase female student interest and engagement in STEM. Purpose: The purpose of this action research study was to understand how individual…

Most educational studies highlight the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Female students' interest and success in STEM are behind their male peers, especially in chemistry and physics classes. Females are less likely to pursue a STEM field in college. In addition, few women want to be scientists and engineers.…

To address the persistent underrepresentation of women and racial and ethnic minorities in STEM, the current study utilized a quasi-experimental posttest waitlist control group approach to examine the effect of a 1-year virtual peer mentoring program on the academic, professional, and psychosocial outcomes of graduate mentors and undergraduate…

Meeting the future demands of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) requires cultivating a diverse workforce. However, historically underrepresented groups--such as Black, Hispanic, and American Indian individuals; first-generation college students; those who are socioeconomically challenged; and women--have struggled to achieve…

The recruitment and retention of women in STEM have historically been a struggle. Several causes, such as social factors, stereotypes, and classroom environments, all play a role (Blackburn, 2017). Recruitment efforts are often focused on middle school students. Nevertheless, research shows that children as young as kindergarten already have a…

Informal STEM education programs have become venues wherein girls can improve their sense of belonging and potential success (STEM identity) through interactions with role models and seeing how STEM fields are relevant to them. Despite decades of advocacy for single-sex programs' role in improving girls' STEM identity, few studies have found…