Women in STEM Career Awareness Series Inspires the Next Generation

 

As Women’s History Month unfolds, Stony Brook is shaping the future of STEM by providing high school women with hands-on experiences that could define their careers.

The university’s High School Women in STEM Career Awareness Series is giving 22 students from Longwood High School in Middle Island, NY, an introduction to the world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The four-session program, designed for high school sophomores and juniors, offers an in-depth look at various STEM careers through interactive workshops, mentorship from faculty and industry professionals, and hands-on activities. The sessions cover key areas such as energy engineering, healthcare, artificial intelligence (AI) and user experience (UX) design, and science communication.

The first session, held in January, introduced students to the energy and utility industry in partnership with the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and WhyMaker, a STEM instructional design organization. Students engaged in a hands-on exercise, mapping out a power transmission line using lightbulbs, tape, and other materials to understand how power is generated and distributed.

In February, the second session took students to Stony Brook’s School of Health Professions, where they were introduced to clinical healthcare workers, conducted respiratory care procedures and participated in paramedic training, gaining experience with medical tools and technologies.

For 11th-grade student Kimberly Amaya, the introduction to health sciences helped reinforce her future plans. “I want to go into a STEM-based career, but there are so many different pathways. Having insight into the options is something that high schoolers really struggle with, and this program has helped me see the different options available to me,” she said.

Amaya especially enjoyed a hands-on exercise where students examined the differences between normal and diseased blood cells. “I’m a really visual learner, so when we do a hands-on activity like that, I enjoy it.”

On March 21, the students learned about AI and UX design at the Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT). With guidance from Dominique Lee, an app designer, UX researcher and digital design consultant, they learned how to design mobile apps.

Lee emphasized the importance of women and representation in STEM fields. “It’s always challenging finding your career pathway or what you want to do in life. The opportunity to help young women connect with a possible journey, in either the app space or the design and creative space where you’re making and not necessarily consuming, is very rewarding.”

Lee volunteered her time to work with the students, and stressed to students the importance of ‘being a maker’ of apps (as opposed to a user), and using technological and creative talents for good.

The series will conclude April 23 at CEWIT, where Stony Brook’s Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, Chief Health Equity Officer and Chief Diversity Officer Judith Brown Clarke will deliver a keynote speech and students will receive certificates of completion. The session will also include a workshop from the Alda Center for Communicating Science, focusing on effective communication and research presentation skills.

For junior Alexandra Eleanore Nelson White, who is interested in software engineering, computer science and data analytics, the experience has helped solidify her future goals. “This program has opened my eyes to different careers and helped me figure out what my minor or concentration might be in college. It’s exciting to see how many different fields are part of STEM.”

Scott Schuster, director of college and career pathways for the Longwood School District, said there was a tremendous amount of excitement from the students, and noted the program’s ability to match students with opportunities that align with their interests. “We can cast a net and select kids that have already developed and expressed an aptitude or an interest in STEM, and they come in thirsty to learn more.”

Students were selected for the program based on performance in STEM coursework, attendance and teacher recommendations. 

“It’s so important for these students to see the wide array of careers in STEM,” said Abigayle Gersbeck, a math teacher at Longwood High School. “Many of them didn’t realize just how many options exist, and this experience has expanded their horizons. Being on campus, meeting professionals, and working in state-of-the-art facilities makes STEM more tangible and accessible to them, and I definitely think they’ll have more of a reason to come to Stony Brook after graduating from high school.”

Derek O’Connor, workforce development manager in the Office for Research and Innovation, discussed the program’s broader mission. “Our goal isn’t just to guide students down a single career path but to expose them to as many opportunities as possible. Whether they continue their education at Stony Brook or somewhere else, or directly enter the workforce, they remain part of New York’s STEM ecosystem. Our priority is keeping talent in the state by providing meaningful experiences that inspire them to pursue careers in STEM.”

Longwood High School was selected for the program due to its large student population and its commitment to STEM initiatives, including its student-run hackathon, one of the largest on Long Island. Nearly 50 percent of the students in the district come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, according to Schuster. The initiative was made possible through a Stony Brook Presidential Mini Grant and support from various departments, including the Alda Center for Communicating Science, the School of Health Professions and the Office of Admissions.