What is the Women with STEAM Program?
Women with STEAM powered by Rock the STEAM Team Inc., is a program designed to foster young women’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 $60,000. 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 will consist of four main phases over a 12-month period, integrating both educational and practical experiences.
Phase 1: Foundation and Confidence Building
Phase 2: Skill Development and Career Preparation
Phase 3: Advanced Skill Building and Industry Certifications (12wks)
Goal: Offer specialized training and certifications in high-demand STEM areas to prepare women for competitive job markets and career advancement.
Courses
Advanced Coding and Web Development
Full-stack web development (JavaScript frameworks, database management) focused course that will train participants how to build functional web applications and deepen programming skills. Participants will complete a full-stack web project for portfolio.
Data Science & Analytics
This course will teach participants how to use data science techniques to solve real-world problems with a focus on data manipulation, statistical analysis, and data visualizations tools (Excel, SQL, Python). Participants will complete a certification in data science or an equivalent
Advanced 3D Printing and Manufacturing Techniques
Mastering 3D printing for prototyping and small-scale manufacturing focused course to learn Advanced CAD design and use 3D printers for complex projects. Participants will earn advanced certification in 3D printing technologies.
STEM Internship Placement and Mentorship
Secure internship placements or job-shadowing opportunities in STEM companies with this course designed to gain real-world experience in a chosen STEM field. Participants will successfully complete an internship with mentorship support.
Project Management in STEM
Project management fundamentals (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall methodologies). This course is designed to increase understanding of how to lead projects in a STEM context. Participants will gain preparation for PMP (Project Management Professional) certification.
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Tech
Technologies and techniques in sustainable agriculture (hydroponics, precision farming). Participants will explore agricultural technology to create sustainable food systems and gain hands-on experience with sustainable agriculture practices.
Health Tech and Biotechnology Applications
Introduction to biotechnology, medical devices, and digital health tools. Participants will learn how technology is transforming healthcare and its application in biotech industries developing competencies for entry-level biotech roles or certifications.
Cloud Computing and IT Fundamentals
Learn cloud computing (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and network security basics. Participants will gain certification in cloud-based platforms and preparation for Cloud Practitioner or similar certifications.
Phase 4: Career Launch and Leadership Development (12wks)
Goal: Prepare participants to launch their STEM careers with leadership skills, advanced networking, and direct job placement assistance.
Courses
Leadership in STEM: Empowering Women
Develop leadership and decision-making skills for women in male-dominated fields by learning leadership theories and practical applications in STEM. Participants will build confidence and skills to lead projects and teams in STEM careers.
Advanced Data Science & Machine Learning
Machine learning, AI tools, and data-driven decision-making. Participants will apply machine learning algorithms to real-world datasets and complete a machine learning project or capstone.
STEM Job Placement & Negotiation Skills
Job search strategies, networking with professionals, and salary negotiation. This course will ensure participants are fully equipped for job searches and confident in negotiating their worth to ultimately find successful job placement or career transition.
Cybersecurity Essentials
Network security, ethical hacking, and protecting sensitive data. Participants will learn the basics of cybersecurity and earn entry-level certification (e.g., CompTIA Security+) as well as gain an understanding of data protection.
Renewable Energy and Environmental Tech
Explore renewable energy technologies (solar, wind, green energy solutions) and gain an understanding of environmental sustainability and energy solutions. Participants will gain advanced knowledge or certification in renewable energy fields.
Technical Writing and Communication
Learn technical writing skills for reports, proposals, and grant applications. Participants will develop strong communication skills for conveying technical information and complete a technical writing project (e.g., grant proposal or technical manual).
Mentorship and Peer Support Networks
This course will assist participants in building a support system through mentoring and peer groups by helping to establish relationships with professional mentors and build a peer network. Participants will receive ongoing professional support through networking groups and mentor relationships.
Capstone Project Presentation
Participants will develop a final project that integrates skills learned throughout the program and present capstone projects to industry professionals, local companies, and peers successfully completing the program and presenting a comprehensive STEM-related project.