Inspiring middle and high school girls to pursue STEAM careers through design thinking curriculum

• In Event: The Role of Curricula in Shaping Student Outcomes

Proposal

Boys far outnumber girls in their pursuit of professional careers in STEAM fields. Encouraging girls in middle school and high school to get involved in these fields through educational programs in design thinking can increase their confidence and motivation to develop a STEAM career after graduation. It is essential that girls are exposed to a curriculum that prepares them with the skills to participate in a global economy that increasingly emphasizes innovation, creativity, and collaboration.

This study looks at how a summer design thinking program for middle and high school girls leads to the development of 21st century skills that include empathy, problem solving, creative confidence, resilience, risk-taking, and collaboration. A deeper look at the program’s design thinking curriculum, coupled with parent surveys, self reflections, and video analysis, will reveal what aspects of the summer program were most influential to the participating girls in gaining these important skills and developing the confidence to pursue a career in STEAM.

Author

• Audra Wingard, Stanford University