Inspiring the Next Generation: WinS (Women in STEM) Takes on a New Challenge
Inspiring the Next Generation: WinS Takes on a New Challenge (daischina.org)
In a world where gender stereotypes and biases still pose significant barriers to women in STEM fields, it is crucial to challenge these norms and inspire the next generation of female scientists, engineers, and innovators. At the forefront of this mission is WinS (Women in STEM), a high school club that I had the privilege to initiate and lead. Our journey has been one of growth, learning, and making a meaningful impact, and this summer, we embarked on an exciting new initiative that took our efforts beyond the walls of our school and into our broader community.
Expanding Our Reach
WinS has always been committed to promoting gender equity in STEM. Our previous activities included inviting successful women in STEM to deliver inspiring speeches for our members and girls’ parents, organizing tours of STEM companies, and interviewing university STEM students to provide real-world insights. However, this summer, we decided to extend our impact even further by engaging with a younger audience. We organized six hands-on STEM sessions for elementary school girls, to plant the seeds of curiosity and passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Engaging Young Minds
This summer, 6 members of our team visited local elementary schools and foreign company daycare centers, equipped with experiment materials and a wealth of enthusiasm. Over 100 girls participated in our series of sessions, where we not only guided them through exciting experiments but also explained the underlying scientific concepts and principles. Each session was designed to be interactive and engaging, ensuring that the girls could actively participate and learn by doing.
One of the highlights was the "Building a Catapult" experiment, where the girls learned about the mechanics of levers, force, and motion. This hands-on activity allowed them to see how simple machines work and how they can be used to perform tasks more efficiently. In the "Balloon-Powered Car" experiment, the girls were introduced to Newton's Third Law of Motion, experiencing firsthand how forces act and react. The "Mini Volcano" experiment amazed them with the basic concepts of acids, bases, and chemical reactions, creating a memorable and educational experience.
Sparking Curiosity and Overcoming Stereotypes
Our decision to work with elementary school students was driven by the desire to instill a love for STEM at an early age before stereotypes and biases could take root. We wanted these young girls to see that they have the potential to excel in STEM fields, regardless of societal expectations. The excitement and curiosity we witnessed during the sessions were truly inspiring. The girls were eager to ask questions, explore scientific principles, and share their thoughts, demonstrating a natural enthusiasm for learning.
After each activity, our members were surrounded by curious young minds, eager to know more about science and the world around them. Questions about natural phenomena, scientific explanations, and when the next session would be were raised with genuine interest. It was clear that we had successfully planted the seeds of curiosity and passion for STEM, seeds that we hope will continue to grow and flourish in the future.
Voices from WinS Members
The impact of our activities was beautifully captured in the reflections of our members:
Selina Xiao (G10): “In this volunteer activity, I really experienced the feeling of being a teacher. When every child was smiling at their successful experimental works, I also felt a sense of accomplishment in my heart. This activity also let us learn a lot, such as teamwork and leadership. Fully let us get full participation!”
Selina Lu (G10): “This was the first time in my life that I gave a formal lecture to the whole class, and I experienced the feeling of being a teacher and the joy of spreading knowledge. What surprised me was that all the girls in the class had full enthusiasm for our activities and strong curiosity for experiments, and even some students took the initiative to ask a series of questions in the course of teaching. I think our activity is very successful, it makes me more deeply realize that everyone has the right and ability to explore and study knowledge, regardless of gender.”
Letty Xu (G10): “Through this volunteer, I don't expect a group of little girls can really master most of academic science knowledge. But I really want to pass on to these kids my love of science and the philosophy of WinS. It is enough to let them know how interesting the STEM is.”
Lindy Jiang (G11): “I very much enjoy this event as it allows girls to be exposed to science-related knowledge at an early age. They are enthusiastic and intelligent, and I believe that with effort and interest, they can achieve excellent results in the field of science in their future studies.”
Alisha Li (G10): “This teaching trip is really a great experience. The applause and embrace the kids gave when we stepped into the classroom was very enthusiastic, and their critical thinking ability was astonishing. I was so happy to meet and learn with the many talented young women who are devoted in STEM.”
Sparking Curiosity and Overcoming Stereotypes
Our decision to work with elementary school students was driven by the desire to instill a love for STEM at an early age before stereotypes and biases could take root. We wanted these young girls to see that they have the potential to excel in STEM fields, regardless of societal expectations. The excitement and curiosity we witnessed during the sessions were truly inspiring. The girls were eager to ask questions, explore scientific principles, and share their thoughts, demonstrating a natural enthusiasm for learning.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on our summer initiative, we are filled with pride and optimism for the future. The enthusiasm and curiosity we witnessed reaffirmed our belief in the importance of early STEM education and the potential of every girl to excel in these fields. We are committed to continuing our efforts, expanding our reach, and making an even greater impact in the years to come.
WinS is more than just a club; it is a movement to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and inspire the next generation of women in STEM. We are excited about the journey ahead and invite everyone to join us in this mission. Together, we can create a world where every girl knows that she has the power to change the world through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
