Girl Power Through STEM Education
Janet Ray gets it. Both she and her husband Walkie, who she met at a bus stop in third grade in Corona del Mar over 60 years ago, have always been focused on education. After attending local public schools in Newport Beach, they both attended Stanford to complete their education. As a result, they recognized that science education in the traditional form was not really engaging for many young people and more interactive learning techniques needed to be introduced.
Motivated by education concerns for their five children, the idea of an interactive learning center targeting science bubbled up in the late 1980’s.
“There were other science centers in the country but nothing locally,” Janet explains. “Walkie was able to negotiate a retail spot in South Coast Plaza in 1993, and Discovery Science Center opened its preview facility called Launch Pad. The 10,000 square foot retail space had exhibits, science demonstrations, field trips for school groups and a retail store with educational toys.”
Janet managed Launch Pad while Walkie was Chairman of the Discovery Science Center Board.
In December of 1998, Launch Pad was moved to the main campus in Santa Ana on Main Street and the 5 Freeway. The 11-story CUBE structure standing on its point announces to all passers-by that the Cube has arrived. It represents not only interactive learning in the field of science, but a whole culture of making an impact in our community by educating children, parents and educators.
Janet and Walkie’s passion for this remarkable project is evident through their investment. When asked why they spend so much time and treasure on the Cube, Janet is quick to respond.
“It is not quite as calculated as that. It goes back to having a passion. Striving to improve the Cube gives us such a great satisfaction!”
Their passion has created an innovative forum for learning that is dramatically changing the lives of children, especially girls in Orange County.
“I am a scientist. I do what scientists do! I question, I search, I learn, and I grow!” says a young student and benefactor of the program. This young woman, by her access to hands-on-learning, has formed a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) identity. She plans to focus her academic studies in STEM, go to college and enter the workforce by 2032. At age 10, she can see herself as a scientist, technologist, engineer, or mathematician.
Dr. Kenneth Wesson, a specialist in neuroscience and cognitive psychology, has this to say about the subject.
“Women are underrepresented in university STEM classrooms and professions. Research shows that ‘if we don’t engage girls by the 5th grade in STEM, 97% of them will lose interest in STEM subjects.’”
To increase the number of women entering STEM professional fields, society must tackle the stereotypes to which they are exposed at an early age. One of the main objectives is to reduce the professional gender gap. By doing so, these young women are less likely to face future compensation inequality, as STEM occupations average 70% higher wages than other job sectors. One of the ways that Discovery Cube Orange County addresses this challenge is through hands-on intentional STEM field trips.
Discovery Cube field trips are part of a comprehensive campaign, entitled Cube 2.0, that is designed following the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This past year, Discovery Cube raised $5.5 Million from private donors and a grant of public funds awarded from the State of California, to create seven NGSS Labs. In the second phase of Cube 2.0, DCOC seeks $1Million additional funding to increase access for girls to experience field trips in their seven newmakers-space STEM learning labs.
To further support the female students, Discovery Cube is strategically updating its curriculum for fifth through eighth graders. The Cube’s programming and exhibits specifically align with school curriculum. The updated field trip design for fifth through eighth graders will include grade specific books to guide the students through key exhibits, pre-field trip lessons for the classroom teacher to lead, a kit of supplies where students make something to be tested during their special lab time on the field trip, special journals to record their findings, and small group time in the lab where students test their designs/creations/experiments from pre-lesson.
Brie Griset Smith, Chief Development Officer for Discovery Cube, recognizes the urgent need for these programs. Brie grew up and attended public school in Santa Ana. She experienced first-hand the lack of engagement in STEM subjects for girls. Partnerships with the Discovery Cube, including naming rights for the new labs, allow it to advance and deepen their STEM-related mission, democratize STEM education opportunities for girls, and inspire the next generation of female scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians.
For more information on how to contribute to this cause or about the naming rights for the New Labs at Discovery Cube, call Brie Griset Smith at 714-613-4649, or email her at BGrisetSmith@DiscoveryCube.org.