What is the Women with STEAM Program?
Women with STEAM powered by Rock the STEAM Team Inc., is a program designed to foster women and girl’s interest in STEAM programs and careers by emphasizing and integrating practices of arts to deepen understanding of STEM disciplines.
Our aim is to provide workforce development and educational workshops that economically empower and connect women with mentors within the STEAM workforce community. Women With STEAM will be an annual program offered by Rock the STEAM Team Inc. with year round workshops available virtually and in-person.
The State of STEAM for Women in Dane County
In Dane County, Wisconsin, much progress has been made in recent years to encourage and support women in STEAM fields that has led to increased representation, yet disparities persist especially in rural and suburban cities and towns outside of Madison, WI.
Progress in Madison, Wisconsin has been driven by initiatives promoting STEAM education and careers, greater awareness of gender disparities in STEAM, and an increase in available networking opportunities and mentorship support have emerged, helping young women navigate the challenges of entering and advancing in STEAM fields.
However, in communities surrounding Madison, Wisconsin significant challenges exist including:
- Limited Access: Rural areas have fewer educational institutions and resources compared to urban areas, resulting in limited access to STEAM training programs for residents of rural Dane County.
- Infrastructure and Resources: Many rural schools and communities in Dane County lack the infrastructure and resources necessary to support comprehensive STEAM education, including laboratories, technology, and qualified instructors.
- Transportation and Childcare: Limited public transportation options in rural areas can pose challenges for residents, particularly students, in accessing off-site STEAM training opportunities or traveling to educational institutions outside their immediate area.
- Awareness and Outreach: There is a lack of awareness about available STEAM training programs and resources in rural Dane County communities, leading to underutilization of existing opportunities especially by underrepresented people who face socio-economic barriers for participation in the available programs that may exist.
Women With STEAM Program Goals
Women with STEAM aims to address these challenges with the following objectives:
- Increase access to STEAM Learning by offering Digital Learning Curriculum, On-site training, and mobile STEAM outreach labs: Advances in technology have made online and remote learning increasingly accessible, providing opportunities for rural residents to access STEAM training programs and resources from anywhere with an internet connection. Women with STEAM will develop and distribute a digital learning curriculum as well as offer all on-site learning workshops and trainings to be accessed live. Mobile STEAM labs and outreach programs that can bring hands-on STEAM learning experiences directly to rural communities as well as free transportation to on-site learning at the Rock the STEAM Team Makerspace & Tech Hub for participants, overcoming barriers related to transportation and access to physical facilities.
- Establishment of barrier reducing programs for women and girls interested in STEAM learning. Provide transportation and childcare assistance to women and girls in rural Dane County to increase access to hands-on STEAM training and workforce development.
- Workforce Development Initiatives: Tailored workforce development initiatives that focus on STEAM training and skill-building to provide pathways to employment in STEAM-related fields to empower women and girls with hope for more stable socio-economic futures.
Get Involved
The Women with STEAM program strives to ensure equitable opportunities in STEAM learning for all women to access, belong, engage, and actively participate in an inclusive environment. Our program will not only inspire young women to pursue STEAM education and careers but also equip them with the necessary skills and support to succeed in these fields. By connecting participants with mentors who can offer guidance and advice based on their own experiences, we aim to create a supportive network that empowers young women to achieve their goals.
Program Budget
We estimate the cost for this program for the inaugural year to be nearly $300,000. These funds will be utilized to provide tuition-free workshops as well as reduce transportation and childcare barriers in addition to increasing outreach opportunities.
Targeted Program Outcomes
We believe that investing in the potential of young women in STEAM fields is crucial for promoting diversity, innovation, and economic empowerment. With your support, we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of at-risk young women in our community and contribute to a more inclusive, vibrant, and equitable future.
Objective #1
Increase access to STEAM learning by offering digital learning curriculum, on-site training, and mobile STEAM outreach labs.
Inputs:
- Staff hours
- Technology Infrastructure for Virtual participants (computers, internet access)
- Educational materials and resources
Outputs:
- # of hybrid classes held
- # of virtual participants
- # of materials distributed
- # of equipment loaned
- # of mobile lab sessions
- # of participants
Outcomes
- Increased awareness, access, and interest in STEAM learning opportunities among participants
- Enhanced digital literacy skills among participants
- Expanded reach beyond geographical limitations
- Improved engagement and participation in STEAM disciplines, and strengthened partnerships with schools, community organizations, and local businesses
Targets
- Ensure 50% of participants feel confident in training
- Reach 500 underserved women and girls with digital curriculum in 20 weeks
- Achieve 20% increase in interest post-mobile lab
- Get positive feedback from 90% of participants
- Establish partnerships with 5 new schools or organizations within 20 weeks
Objective #2
Establishment of barrier reducing programs for women and girls interested in STEAM learning
Inputs:
- Transit fare
- On-site childcare service provider hours
Outputs:
- # of rides given,
- # of participants on-site
- # of transit partnerships
- # of children supervised
- # of mothers attending workshops
- # of childcare partnerships established
Outcomes
- Women and girls in rural Dane County experience increased access to hands-on STEAM training and workforce development
- Reduction in missed STEAM training opportunities due to transportation and childcare barriers
- Enhanced participation and greater retention rates in related activities and programs
Targets
- Annually assist 100 women and girls with transportation, resulting in a 20% rise in on-site training participation
- Achieve a 20% annual increase in mothers joining STEAM workshops
- Maintain a 90%+ satisfaction rate for childcare services
- Target a 15% decrease in workshop dropouts due to childcare barriers within two years
Objective #3
Implement STEAM workforce development programs for women and girls in rural Dane County
Inputs:
- Program development
- Trained instructors and mentors in STEAM fields
- Access to educational resources and materials
- Collaborations with local schools, community organizations, and businesses
Outputs:
- # of workshops held
- # of educational resources distributed
- # of mentor matches
- # of recruited participants
- # of mentorship sessions
- # of local education programs, community organizations, and business partnerships established
Outcomes
- Increased participation of women and girls in rural Dane County’s STEAM workforce programs
- Enhanced skills, confidence, and connections for participants
- Improved STEAM career readiness and placement
- Expanded access to resources, bridging rural-Madison disparities and promoting greater engagement among women and girls in STEAM.
- Improved socio-economic futures of participants
Targets
- Enroll 100+ rural Dane County women/girls in STEAM workforce programs within a year
- Maintain 80% retention rate
- Ensure 70% report increased confidence in STEAM careers
- Secure 5+ new partnerships
- Expand rural STEAM programs by 25% in one year
Program Structure
The Women with STEAM program is designed to empower single mothers by providing them with the tools, skills, and confidence to launch successful careers in STEM fields. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by single mothers, the program is structured into four comprehensive phases, each targeting a critical aspect of personal and professional development. This phased approach ensures that participants can build their skills and knowledge step-by-step while receiving the support they need to balance their family and career aspirations.
Phase 1: Foundation and Confidence Building
The program begins with a strong foundation that focuses on building confidence, resilience, and self-awareness. This phase includes workshops on personal goal-setting, time management, and financial literacy to help participants establish a stable footing. Participants also explore career pathways within STEM and learn about the program’s resources, including access to childcare, transportation assistance, and flexible scheduling. By addressing potential barriers upfront, this phase ensures that participants are equipped to focus on their learning and growth.
Phase 2: Skill Development and Career Preparation
In this phase, participants dive into hands-on STEM training tailored to their career goals. They gain foundational knowledge in areas such as coding, robotics, digital prototyping, and hydroponic agriculture, utilizing the state-of-the-art facilities at Rock the STEAM Team’s makerspaces. Training sessions are designed to be accessible, with step-by-step guidance and inclusive learning practices. Participants also earn certifications in relevant STEM fields, boosting their employability and confidence.
Phase 3: Real-World Application and Experience
Phase 3 bridges the gap between learning and real-world experience. Participants engage in internships, project-based learning, or community-based STEM initiatives to apply their skills in practical settings. Through partnerships with local businesses and organizations, participants gain hands-on experience while building professional networks. This phase emphasizes teamwork, problem-solving, and innovation, enabling participants to showcase their abilities in a professional context.
Phase 4: Career Launch and Ongoing Support
The final phase focuses on preparing participants for long-term career success. This includes resume building, interview preparation, and job placement support. Rock the STEAM Team collaborates with local employers to connect participants with job opportunities that align with their skills and aspirations. To ensure a smooth transition, participants receive ongoing mentorship and access to resources such as professional development workshops and networking events.
Why the Four-Phase Structure Works
The phased approach of the Women with STEAM program recognizes the complex journey from learning to career advancement. Each phase builds on the previous one, allowing participants to grow at their own pace while providing the support needed to overcome obstacles. By the end of the program, participants are not only equipped with in-demand STEM skills but also the confidence and networks required to sustain a thriving career.
Through Women with STEAM, Rock the STEAM Team is transforming the lives of single mothers, enabling them to achieve economic independence while serving as role models for their families and communities.
