BRATTLEBORO — Women in the United States continue to be underrepresented in careers related to science, engineering and mathematics, despite some recent strides in these areas.
Although women make up 47 percent of the total workforce in this country, a 2014 U. S. Department of Labor report indicates that they comprise only 15.6 percent of all chemical engineering jobs and 12.1 percent of all civil engineering jobs, for example.
The Windham Regional Career Center is planning to address this divide, in part, by providing a free summer program this year for girls from Windham County who are currently in the eighth or ninth grade. Called the WRCC STEM Summer Program, girls will have the opportunity to learn about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers through a variety of hands-on activities that will prove to be both educational and enjoyable.
These will include, among others, introductions to electricity, solar power, digital photography and filmmaking, chemistry, and computer application design.
This free program will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from July 27 to 31 and from Aug. 3 to 7. It will include free breakfast and lunch as well as limited free transportation for students residing within the towns comprising the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union.
There are still some open slots, and those interested may contact Janna Crafts at jcrafts@wsesu.org or at 802-451-3927.