Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in Ohio

STEM education and retention is both a family issue and an equity issue.  Unemployment has hit Ohio men especially hard, and these men find it difficult to find a new job.  Usually, their families have suffered more than a 50% reduction in income.  What might explain this?

A family issue

Ohio is not among the leaders in high technology that dominates our economy. The Ohio Board of Regents Policymaker's Guide states, "In a recent survey by the Milken Institute, not one Ohio metropolitan area ranked among the top 50 high-tech metros relative to high-tech real output growth in 2002."  Why, not?  In 2004, Ohio ranked 40th among all states on the percentage of the state's population who have completed a bachelor's degree or higher - 23.3% versus 27% for the nation. Only ten states have a lower baccalaureate attainment rate.  Business looks for a trained workforce.

An equity issue

Men still dominate higher-paying fields such as science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM).  According to a 2008 U.S. Department of Labor report, women make up 45 percent of the U.S. work force. In business and industry, however, they are employed in only 12 percent of the science and engineering positions and 20 percent of the information technology positions.

STEM education and retention is, indeed, a family issue and an equity issue.  AAUW advocates for equity of access to higher education in Ohio, for increasing the number and diversity of women in STEM fields, and for improvements to retain them in them in these fields.

Cleveland Girls

Math & Science

Girls experienced science and math in the lab  and on site at Ursuline's summer programs.  AAUW-HHL was there to help. 

Ursuline Summer Science High school sophomores and juniors (classes of 2012, 2013), summer 2010, Ursuline College, Chemistry, 3 Fridays July 9, 16, 23 from 9am - 3pm, Indoor and outdoor labs and hands-on activities and tours, meets at Ursuline, Cleveland State University, and The Lubrizol Corporation.  Find out what you missed at Ursuline's Summer Science site.

Ursuline Science FIRST High school students, class of 2011, "Science FIRST." Two-week session, summer 2010, July 12-15 & July 19-22, 9am - 4pm, Ursuline College campus, for college credit, chemistry, pharmacy, medicine, engineering, other science-related field, focuses on students who are the first in their family to attend college and on populations underrepresented in the sciences. Flyer and application form at Ursuline's, Science First site. 

 PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR

Be WISE Camp, math, science, technology, girls entering grade 7 or 8 in the fall. This year's camp was June 13-18, on campus Denison University, Granville, OH, residential or day camp, sponsored by AAUW for 21 years.  More info