Women make up less than 35% of the STEM workforce, according to the American Association of University Women. The organization says there are so few women in STEM, partly because girls aren’t encouraged to study the subjects in the same way boys are growing up. 

It’s really great to hear from powerful women because usually when I go to these types of things, I hear mostly from men,” said Kaila Rowser, a tenth-grader at East Syracuse-Minoa Central High School. 

According to the American Association of University Women, a lack of role models is one of the key factors perpetuating gender STEM gaps.

“Learn those experiences, learn what they’ve learned in their careers and just see the insight on how to get where they have been,” said Rowser.

Through the American Heart Association’s STEM Goes Red Initiative, more young girls are hearing from women in fields ranging from engineering to meteorology. They’re also able to do some hands-on learning to see what different careers are like. 

“Go Red for Women is all about breaking down every kind of barrier that we can to good health and well-being, and representation from women is a part of that,” said Kristy Smorol, communications director for the American Heart Association in Western and Central New York. She said the benefits of increasing female representation are evident.

“We find actually that women who are treated in the ER with female physicians oftentimes have better outcomes,” said Smorol. 

Smorol says the American Heart Association is hoping that investing in women from an early age will improve the health care system overall.

“And, unfortunately, only three out of every 100 female STEM-degree holders actually work in the STEM field. So part of it is creating that interest now so as they grow and learn, they continue with the STEM field,” said Smorol. 

“There’s always the fear that you will be oppressed, and that you won’t be able to get the same respect as a guy would in your job. But it also inspires me to keep with what I’m doing because these women have made it so far and are so successful. And that could be me if I just keep it going,” said Rowser.