In an era of rapid technological advancement, a persistent reality remains: women’s voices in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are still disproportionately muted. In the United States, STEM fields have long been perceived as male-dominated territories, with women’s underrepresentation creating a bottleneck for innovation and societal progress. To dismantle these barriers, a movement to empower future female scientists is gaining momentum—and the STEM Girl Summer program at the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego), held on August 13, 2024, stands as a beacon of this effort.

A Vision to Inspire

The program’s founder, Robin Graifke, a physics graduate student, understands firsthand the challenges women face in STEM. Recognizing that systemic change begins with fostering young women’s confidence and curiosity, she designed STEM Girl Summer to expose high school girls to cutting-edge science and hands-on engineering experiences. “Our goal is to show them that STEM isn’t just accessible—it’s exciting and full of possibilities ,” Graifke explains.

Learning Through Challenge

Over one intensive weekend, participants tackled collaborative engineering challenges like the "Egg Drop Challenge" and "Glider Design Challenge." These activities tested creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork while grounding abstract concepts in tangible outcomes. In the egg drop task, teams budgeted virtual funds to build protective containers, applying physics principles to prevent eggs from breaking at varying heights. Meanwhile, the glider challenge required optimizing aerodynamics for slow, stable descents—a lesson in iterative design and perseverance.

“At first, I doubted I could engineer a working solution,” admits one participant. “But when our glider finally flew smoothly, I realized I belong in these spaces .” Such revelations are precisely what the program aims to cultivate, countering societal stereotypes that frame STEM as inherently male.

Broadening Horizons

Beyond hands-on projects, attendees explored diverse physics disciplines through demonstrations in astronomy, optics, and biophysics. A Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction experiment, for instance, visualized oscillating chemical patterns—a gateway to chaos theory. “Seeing science in action made me eager to learn more,” reflects a student.

The program also featured a panel discussion with UC San Diego physics professor Gurleen Bal, who shared her academic journey. “Hearing Dr. Bal’s story convinced me to take physics next year,” says Citlali Martinez, a tenth grader. “She proved that women can lead in STEM .”

The Persistent Gender Gap

Despite educational strides, workplace inequities linger. While women’s enrollment in STEM majors has risen, they remain underrepresented in technical roles—particularly leadership. Alarmingly, many leave the field mid-career due to marginalization, exclusionary behavior, or limited advancement opportunities. A 2020 Society of Women Engineers (SWE) study found that 38% of women in STEM feel undervalued, while 21% report harmful management practices.

Mentorship programs and hands-on learning initiatives like STEM Girl Summer are critical to reversing this trend. “When girls engage early and often with STEM, they’re more likely to persist,” notes Graifke. Institutions must also address workplace cultures, ensuring equitable support and growth pathways.

As STEM Girl Summer’s participants return to their classrooms, they carry more than new skills—they hold a renewed belief in their potential. And with each young woman who pursues STEM, the field moves closer to a future where talent, not gender, defines success.