The Current: EPI's Newsletter Spring 2018 EPI Newsletter_for web

The Current for the N ext G eneration • S pring 2018 C onservation STEM for GOOD How engaging more girls in science will help save our planet Above: Practical, hands-on learning on an EPI course - local Costa Rican students conduct water quality tests in search of bioindicating insects Yet, thirty years after my own high school experience, the opportunities in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) fields are still not shared equally among boys and girls, which limits the success of conservation efforts. Cover Story by Julie Osborn, EPI Co-founder & Advancement Director IT’S MY FIRST DAY AS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, 1984. I’m in advanced algebra and trigonometry, a class for juniors. My teacher hands out an article about girls, like me, who excel in math and science but whose performance in those subjects relative to boys declines in high school. He shared that article not to bring us down but to bring our awareness to implicit bias and the societal forces acting against our ambitions. Mr. Johnson was ahead of cultural norms, and he changed my life because of it. I love challenges (like math and entrepreneurship), so being made explicitly aware of the bias towards me and knowing I had a strong advocate helped me persevere in the face of gender bias throughout my academic journey. Later, I continued that journey as a scientist, studying ecology and global change. While I now spend my time addressing these issues by advancing EPI’s mission through fundraising and connecting with educators and conservationists, my roots seek science for nourishment. The obstacles young girls face are clear: Exposure to implicit bias and stereotypes - This begins in early childhood and increases as girls grow up. Lack of female role models - Nearly half of all girls interested in STEM don’t know a woman in a STEM career. A fixed mindset - Unlike boys, girls tend to see failure or struggle as a sign of an innate lack of talent. Lack of practical experience - 74% of teen girls are interested in STEM, but 40% say they lack hands-on experience. EPI helps girls overcome each of these obstacles. When I see EPI participants in the field, the majority are girls. And like Mr. Johnson, we can be intentional about how we engage girls and inspire the next generation in powerful and meaningful ways. We are challenging ourselves and inviting you to celebrate and engage more girls in science in 2018 and beyond. Join us: ecologyproject.org/stem4good E C O L O G Y P R O J E C T I N T E R N AT I O N A L • W W W. E C O L O G Y P R O J E C T.O R G • 4 0 6 . 7 2 1 . 8 7 8 4