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S. T. E. M.By Liz BoboOne of the mostexciting thingshappening todayin education for girls is whatis known as STEM.STEM (Science, Technology,Engineering, Mathematics)is a program for bothboys and girls, though it isparticularly significant forgirls because of the longstanding preponderance ofmales in these professions.The Departments of Educationin both the State ofMaryland and Howard Countyhave well planned STEMprograms in their curricula.Diana Bailey, who haslived in Howard County formany years, all the whilededicated and working hardfor women’s equality, worksfor the Maryland Departmentof Education and isvery well versed in the subjectof STEM. For the thirdyear, she has organized aSTEM event for the region’smiddle school girls. Diana isa member of the board of theWomen’s Giving Circle whichis sponsoring the event.Other sponsors are the JohnsHopkins University AppliedPhysics Laboratory whichis hosting the event, MathEngineering Science Achievement(MESA), MarylandSpace Business Roundtable,and Multinational Developmentof Women in Technology(MDWIT).In our state of Maryland,STEM is of major importancebecause we are home to asignificant percentage of ournation’s economy-drivingtechnologies of aerospace,defense, systems engineering,computer software andnetwork engineering, andbioinformatics and biotech.Maryland, more than anyother state, is also the locationfor Base Realignmentand Closure (BRAC) activity.As women, we know theimportance of overcomingthe gender gap in scienceand technology careers. Wewant to prepare our girls tobe globally competitive withthe necessary skills for thejobs and the world of tomorrow.Then, sooner that wewill even be able to imagine,Focus on Women Magazinewill be covering thegreat beneficial contributionsthese girls turned women aremaking to our planet.“Girl Power, Reach for theSky,” the program Dianaorganized, is an excellent opportunityto take a big steptowards this goal we hold sodear. Girl Power will be heldat the Johns Hopkins AppliedPhysics Lab on Sunday,March 14, 2010 from 3-5pm.There is no admission fee.Parents are invited to accompanytheir daughters.For directions, go to www.jhuapl@edu,Girls attendingwillhave theopportunityto talk withprofessionalwomen inSTEM careers:aerospace,computerscience,mathematics,geology, informationtechnology, engineering,space science, chemistryand more. Hundredsof girls attended the eventin its first two years. It wastruly not only encouraging,but downright inspirational,to observe these girls, somewith a parent or two in tow,eagerly going from station tostation at the lab and engagingin animated conversationwith professional women.These women already employedin STEM positionsreported that it was equallyenergizing and gratifying forthem to see such potential inour girls.With so much to be troubledabout in our lives today—healthcare, the economy,poverty, environmentaldegradation—it’s importantand healthy for us to taketime to focus on somethingthat is going well. STEMeducation programs for girlsis one of them.For Women, To Women, About Women19