Nonfiction articles for a general audience:     Chicago Woman: How to Get Young Girls Interested in STEM Fields

One day as I was stuck in traffic I realized I want a flying car. As a girl, I definitely remember somebody somewhere promising that I'd get to fly my car around. Where are these flying cars now?

Of course, the existence of flying cars depends on the expertise of our workforce in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). And although women fill almost half of U.S. jobs, they fill less than twenty-five percent of STEM jobs. Women hold a disproportionately low share of STEM undergraduate degrees. We're going to need all hands on deck to make those flying cars, so what's up with this?

I believe the culprit is: many people don't think women are good at STEM, and many women don't think STEM is appealing. As a physicist, I'm here to tell you STEM fields absolutely are girly fields. And what's more, many STEM fields pay substantially more than non-STEM fields. Furthermore, STEM helps people in myriad ways, from screen readers for the blind to predicting flash floods.

Let's change these old-fashioned perceptions. We can do this by being positive in our words and actions about women's abilities. Women can, in fact, do math, despite what Barbie says.

Let's also show youngsters that STEM is fun. Television and its new cousins have a plethora of STEM-learning programs such as "Sid the Science Kid" and "Nova." There are even some science comics. For example, the American Physical Society has the adventures of the girl Spectra, including her current Physics Quest.

Once we overcome anti-STEM preconceptions, girls need preparation. I mentioned math; it's the bedrock of all STEM fields. Girls should take all the math they can in K-12. If kids don't take math in high school, they start college behind the STEM curve. If you're a mom with daughters, please promote math.

Thus, let's teach girls that STEM is possible and fun and give them the tools they need for success. Let's work together to get more women in the STEM workforce! I really want that flying car...

Lesley L. Smith, Ph.D., has held a variety of scientific jobs, including investigating quarks and global warming, and her nonfiction articles have been published in various venues.

For more information, connect with Dr. Smith on her website.

Her novel The Quantum Cop is now available where all fine books are sold.