How STEM Goes Red Is Helping Women Get an Early Start in Tech

Women make up just 28 percent of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers, and that lack of representation in medical, pharmaceutical and health care jobs could mean less attention paid to women’s health care and less research on how conditions like cardiovascular disease present in and impact women. 

To shift the gender imbalance in STEM careers and assist underserved communities, the American Heart Association developed the STEM Goes Red program. The goal of the initiative, a partnership with the Philadelphia School District, is to encourage girls to pursue careers in STEM. 

Promoting STEM careers to young women early on is especially important in Philadelphia schools. The federal government defines a “low-income school” as one where 30 percent or more of that school’s students meet a low-income threshold— every school in the Philadelphia School District meets this definition of low-income. Programs like STEM Goes Red provide the resources and education young women in low-income communities need in order to pursue a career that may otherwise be inaccessible to them. 

As part of the program, AHA is hosting a Stem Goes Red event on Feb. 9, 2022, at the Science History Institute in Philadelphia. This day-long event offers young women the opportunity to network with professionals at the top of their fields and college representatives, and learn about the career opportunities available in STEM. There will also be breakout sessions to foster intimate conversations with these speakers and professionals, where participants can ask questions and meet others who share their interests. 

In pushing these efforts, AHA is committed to assisting young women in pursuing STEM degrees. This strength-in-numbers approach will help AHA achieve its goal of providing women with a larger seat at the table. It will also ensure that the next generation of STEM professionals consists of the best and brightest students in Philadelphia and across the country.