In 2019, girls and young women continue to focus their collective energy on what has been deemed in the past as a quixotic pursuit of careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) for them. Despite the high priority given to these fields across the nation, only a small fraction of girls and women are pursuing STEM careers. Currently, women account for less than 25 percent of those employed in STEM, even though these professions pay women 33 percent more than other jobs.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that technology professionals will experience the highest growth in jobs between now and 2030. Failing to bring the minds and perspectives of half the population to STEM fields will stifle innovation and social progress.

For several years, this visible gender disparity in the STEM fields has sparked important debates on why this is so. Some attribute the gender disparity to lack of mentors and role models, and lack of awareness regarding the STEM fields. Others point to studies indicating traditional mindsets of STEM subjects as “boring” and “only for boys.”

The next two weekends at Sacred Hearts Academy seek to mute the debate with its STEM and Science Symposiums for Girls. Young ladies will meet mentors and female role models who will lay down a groundwork for career awareness and planning in the STEM fields.

We know that STEM interest for girls wanes quickly. In middle school, 31 percent of girls believe that STEM jobs are not for them, and by college, it has jumped to 58 percent. So, an important first step is introducing girls to positive and relatable female role models in these fields.

Thanks to mentors from such companies as Boeing, Genentech, Hawaiian Electric Industries and the John A. Burns School of Medicine, to name only a few, the Feb. 16 and 23 symposiums in Kaimuki wil bring together over 500 student participants.

Overwhelming majorities of girls and young women describe themselves as creative and burning with the desire to change the world. But relatively few associate STEM jobs with either of these phenomena. Our 40-plus symposiums’ mentors will seize every opportunity to teach our young girls how varied, engaging and impactful STEM jobs can be, and, are. Indeed, they are enabling our girls to dream and see how they can make a difference in the STEM fields.

Our girls will learn about STEM careers, including aeronautical engineering, disease control and surgical robotics — each making the world a better place for everyone.

Also emphasized will be the impact teachers and parents have in creating an ongoing interest in STEM for students. Fostering a dogged determinative mindset in the classroom, with a student willingness to stay focused on learning, parent, teacher, mentor and student can bring well-earned success and intellectual satisfaction to our girls.

Finally, we know that our girls and young women who enhance their initial STEM interest in the classroom by participating in STEM activities outside of the classroom are more likely to pursue these subjects later in their education.

By focusing on providing more role models, better career awareness, continuous examples of the real-world application of STEM, and emphasizing a growth mindset in the classroom, we will build a bright path to achieving a more diverse and contributing workforce. We must remain committed to our continued investment in STEM programs, to help bolster the talent pipeline with more and more talented young women.

Our girls will see how STEM in the academic setting prepares them for making our world a better place. What an exciting and ongoing opportunity to a girl’s aspiration for wonderful fulfillment, and especially for half of our current population.

Betty White is head of school for Sacred Hearts Academy, and a director for the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools.