STEMINIST

Our story

Of the awarded bachelor’s degrees, women comprise of 17.9% computer sciences degrees, 19.3% degrees in engineering, 39% in physical sciences and 43.1% in mathematics. Women continue to remain underrepresented in Stem fields. Women make up relatively low shares in engineering (15%) and computer and mathematical sciences (25%). * (source NSF, https://nsf.gov/statistics/)

Program dedicated for exciting K-12 girls about a career in the STEM fields. This program is run by Steminist (a group of women in the technology and stem fields) at American Water. This program’s goal is to continue the partnership between Camden City School District and American Water to promote STEM education in Camden City School District.

The program involves a daylong event where the girls are introduced to core concepts in Science, Math, or Technology. They are introduced to Steminist at American Water and have an open discussion with regarding pursing a STEM-related career field (detailed schedule of the last event can be found below).

American Water Steminist photo 1 American Water Steminist photo 2

What the attendees have said about the Steminist program!

 
“My favorite of this was the hands-on experiment. I’ve been a hands-on learner”
 
“I feel it was fabulous- my girls need this! At this age middle school. Your impact is far reaching! I wouldn’t change a thing. Teachers could observe & learn!”
 
“-Well thought-out day!
-Every detail mattered!
-Friendly faces
-Assistance was helpful!
-DO this AGAIN! Please!”
 “I like how the information about the water and its different were well explained”

Schedule from the last event:

 

Arrivals: 9:00 AM -10:00 Am

  • Students and Chaperones arrive on buses
    • Assemble students for welcome message from our CEO, Susan Story

Morning: 10:00 - 10:30 AM

  • Introductions from AW Staff and to get to know the students (hope you make new friends!)
  • Empowering young women to identify careers in STEM, at American Water and in the Water Industry.
  • Talk about everything water! (Lauren to present, others to chime in)
  • Lunch with other female scientists, engineers, technologists
  • Mystery Water testing to learn about water quality, how to measure it, determine which water source you have tested today. Additional hands on activities with equipment used in the field for turbidity and chlorine residual. At the end we will compile everyone's results and talk about what the numbers tell us, what is similar and different, and determine from which source the four water types were collected.
  • Wrap up the day with their favorite things! (Bring Post-its and markers) and distribute their Steminist goody bags.
  • Escort the students down to the Lobby to meet the bus.
  • Introductions AW Staff: (2 min per person: 15 min.)

10:30 - 10:55 AM
Introductions Students (~1 min per student)

  • What science related news have you heard of recently?
  • What's your favorite subject in school?
  • What career field do you want to get into?
  • One fun fact about yourself!

11:00 - 11:15 AM
Everything Water!
Takeaways: Importance of water, where your drinking water comes from (sources), what it is used for, how we treat it to make it safe, how we measure it to make sure it’s safe, how those measurements give us insight into the quality of the water, what the EPA is and what the regulations are to ensure good water quality.

Lunch

11:15 - 12:15 PM

  • Lunch Takeaways: professions in the water industry, gender gap and what are their thoughts) do they think it is harder for women to be scientists or in the STEM field?

Afternoon Experiments 12:30 PM
Solve the Water Source!

  • Testing Overview: Power point, showing them the test kit supplies.
    • Units
    • pH, hardness, alkalinity - Do that test first
    • Total chlorine, copper, nitrate and nitrite
    • Iron - do that last
  • 4 water sources. Make a hypothesis, which source is from where. Make visual observations.
  • Directions on the card
  • Record results

12:45 - 1:15 PM

  • Students test the 4 "unknown" water sources. Hand in their datasheets, compile data and evaluate results. Talk about the water quality.

12:45 - 1:15 PM

  • Students test the 4 "unknown" water sources. Hand in their datasheets, compile data and evaluate results. Talk about the water quality.

1:15 -1:45 PM
Reconvene

  • Solve Mystery Water Source! Discuss water sources, differences in data.

Departure: 2pm.

Want us to schedule a program with your school?
Contact us!

Veronica.Kinsella@amwater.com

American Water Steminist logoAmerican Water Steminist photo 3