CIOReview | | 9 FEBRUARY 2023The early elementary years are a great time for teachers and parents to allow girls to explore various subjects where girls are underrepresented. Project-based learning with hands-on activities is a great way to build foundational knowledge and self-confidence in engineering and computer science. For example, joining an after-school program focused on encoding is a good way to start the introduction to computer science for girls. Unfortunately, research shows girls in middle school lose interest in math and are found to withdraw from some STEM subjects. More deliberate efforts must be placed on these academics and girls' future careers. Constant reconfirmation of the importance of STEM subjects needs to be emphasized and promoted. Assisting girls in planning their career futures must begin during the middle school years. Career and interest exploration should be discussed at length at school and especially at home. Parents and guardians need to take a deep and serious interest in what is being said by their children about their careers and interests. Families should take an interest and take part in engaging activities inside and outside of the classroom. Programs for girls and STEM are everywhere and are usually free. High school is a great time for girls to find and explore their passion. Exposing girls to various programs and careers in STEM is very important at this time in their life. Giving her access to participate in various programs in non-traditional fields will allow her the insight she needs to decide on her future. Finding a female mentor, who can be a family member or friend, and works in a field of interest, is a great way to get a deeper understanding of a career field. Shadowing a woman who works in a STEM field is another opportunity to gain access to a career and will make it appear within reach.Parents and guardians should never limit access to academic participation in student clubs such as coding, esports, robotics, and other areas. School extracurricular activities encourage growth in various areas that the teacher just cannot cover in the classroom. Also, you can set your student apart by finding exciting and educational places to visit outside of school. Visiting local industries and companies in your city or town, college campuses, and even a walk can open up a student's mind to do and create. The most important factor and constant strand through all of this advice is the continual encouragement and support at home. In my own published research, it found parental support was the most important factor for women in helping them successfully complete their non-traditional college degrees such as in engineering. Acceptance is crucial to their success. With support at home, girls are more likely to pursue and succeed in areas where females are the minority, and underrepresented, even when no one else in their community will support them. Exposing girls to various programs and careers in STEM is very important at this time in their life. Giving her access to participate in various programs in non-traditional fields will allow her the insight she needs to decide on her future
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