Science, Technology, Engineering and Math – the STEM fields – remain male-dominated. A survey commissioned by Microsoft in 2017 found that even girls who are interested in these subjects in middle school tend to lose interest in high school and beyond. Much work is being done to promote STEM subjects for girls, to remove the gender stereotypes that can get in the way, and to understand why girls and women drop out of these fields.

When I was a young girl, I loved math and science. I had great teachers in junior high and high school, and supportive parents in STEM fields (Mom a Chemistry teacher, Dad a Chemical Engineer). I never questioned whether it was “cool” to be in AP Calculus – I loved math and loved a challenge. (Quite possibly, in hindsight, it was not cool. And my lack of dates in high school may have been a result of this.) I was used to being surrounded by boys (5 brothers), and barely noticed if my classes had fewer girls than boys.

So it was no surprise I ended up in engineering.

Passing it along

My daughter also loved science and math from a young age. With my encouragement, she took the hard classes and did well. She majored in Chemistry as an undergraduate, and even told me she enjoyed Organic – which most people say was the death of their chemistry career.

She is now working on her PhD in Chemistry, and just passed her preliminary exams to become an official PhD candidate. She is fortunate to be on a research team with a very supportive advisor, and mostly female co-workers also in the Chemistry PhD program.

I am an incredibly proud mom.

Generations of STEM women

I can’t tell you why the women in my family (mom, me, and my daughter) have persisted in STEM fields while others drop out. Is interest in math and science a hereditary trait, or learned behavior? I do know that it takes strength to buck gender stereotypes, and I come from a long line of strong women. I’m thrilled that my daughter is passionate about her field of study, and I know she is strong enough to excel against obstacles she will face.

And I’m excited to one day call her “Dr.”