Over the past decade, Utah has been building its reputation of being a STEM hub. From Salt Lake City being ranked in the top 20 best cities for STEM careers to the Lehi area claiming the nickname “Silicon Slopes,” alluding to the renowned Silicon Valley, careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics have been experiencing unprecedented growth in the state. This trend persists nationally with data projecting a 10.8% growth in employment in STEM occupations in 10 years.
Unfortunately, many groups of people have traditionally been excluded from STEM careers, such as women, people of color, lower-income communities and LGBTQ+ people for social and economic reasons. While these issues are prevalent and pressing nationally, recent data shows that these disparities are especially prevailing in Utah. In 2022, for example, women constituted 27% of STEM employees nationally but only 21% of STEM employees in Utah, according to the Utah Women and Leadership Project at Utah State University. In order to create a more equitable community in the expanding STEM sector, change must be instigated.
The key to reducing inequality in STEM is encouraging STEM opportunities in K-12 education. This includes increasing funding for STEM educators and materials, like computers for coding and laboratory equipment, improving representation of people from minority backgrounds in industry and education, and expanding community and industrial outreach. Improving just one of these areas can lead to great benefits for the others. For example, Utah companies such as Vivint and Intermountain Healthcare who expanded their outreach to the community provided funding to many programs, which exposed more students to STEM. This can be further compounded with the inclusion of presenters that are from underrepresented backgrounds and by incorporating regions that are lower-income or rural.
We at the American Chemical Society Student Chapter at the University of Utah strive to help students, ranging from preschoolers seeing a science experiment for the first time to college students looking for their first job, feel included and supported in STEM. We focus on broadening educational opportunities to K-12 students by providing hands-on demonstrations planned and taught by U science students from a wide range of backgrounds. This provides early exposure to STEM to many kids who may have limited access to quality STEM education.
Some of the most special projects we’ve been able to participate in have been Girl Scout STEM nights full of oobleck, science shows at Primary Children’s Hospital and dozens of field trips and after school programs extracting strawberry DNA and making “elephant’s toothpaste.” There is truly nothing like seeing a student realize that science is exciting. Early scientific joy fosters future doctors, engineers and researchers.
Another aspect of STEM education we focus on at ACSSC at U of U is sustainable science. Teaching sustainable methods and climate science in an age-appropriate way in all science education can be beneficial in creating future change-makers — and it can even be cost-effective. There are many ways to teach science using reusable, recyclable and household items. One of our favorite experiments at outreach events for young kids is making water fireworks which only requires a clear cup, water, oil and food dye, all of which can be sourced from reusable and recyclable materials.
Sustainable science can also motivate a sense of purpose and leadership in STEM fields among high school and college students. As the effects of climate change become more apparent, finding green solutions like reducing toxic byproducts and finding alternatives to petroleum-based plastics and fuels has become increasingly important. In our ACS chapter, we prioritize green chemistry initiatives like glove recycling, community education and student research, which has provided students with plenty of opportunities to lead and apply their knowledge in the sciences to important global issues that affect people from minority backgrounds disproportionately. These initiatives have inspired many of our chapter members and high school students to participate in research and engineering sustainability initiatives for their future careers, which is especially necessary in our global state.
Overall, it is critical that we promote STEM education that prioritizes people from underrepresented backgrounds and environmental safety to create a more inclusive, sustainable field. Even through small acts such as volunteering to help with a science field trip or tutoring math at a local middle school, there can be profound impacts in increasing interest in STEM fields. If you would like to be involved with our efforts to increase STEM education and green chemistry initiatives, follow us on Instagram @uofuacs or send us a message via our email, uofuacssc@gmail.com.
— Delaney Miller, President of the American Chemical Society at U of U Student Chapter
The post Guest Opinion: Furthering Diverse and Green STEM Education in Utah first appeared on The Daily Utah Chronicle.