Let’s Talk About Equity in STEM; a local perspective

By Maureen Haeger

With the current events, we are reminded of the importance of equity in STEM, so I set out to gain a local perspective on this crucial issue. At STEM Forward, we want to start the discussion before we host our annual sySTEMnow Conference on October 29, 2020, with the same theme, “Equity in STEM.” I was fortunate enough to speak with three prominent STEM leaders in Milwaukee and pick their brains:

• Patricia Contreras, Vice President of Global Affairs at Rockwell Automation

• Kamela Clayton Goodwyn, Ph.D., Dean of STEM Academic and Career Pathway at MATC

• Jilly Gokalgandhi, Strategic Partnerships Strategist at American Family Insurance

What is equity? The definition of equity is the quality of being fair and impartial.

When asked, what does equity in STEM mean to you? our thought leaders mentioned that we need to ensure that all young people have the same opportunity. This means they have an ecosystem that provides access to technology and exposure to STEM experiences and programs. Students need to learn about STEM careers and understand the pathways to obtain that particular job they desire. Patricia mentioned that there is an opportunity gap, as well as a belief gap. When talking about a belief gap, representation matters. As Patricia put it, “If you can see, you can believe it.” For students of color and female students, they must be able to see someone in a STEM career that looks like them, lives in the same neighborhood, and has a similar last name.

Jilly also mentioned that to achieve equity in STEM, we need to close all of the gaps (wage gap, tech gap, gender gap, resource gap, etc.). As she put it, “People in charge have the power to influence and are responsible for eliminating barriers to success for our students and their communities.”

When I asked Kamela her thoughts on equity in STEM, she answered that first, we need to recognize there are inequities. Specifically, that there are fewer people of color and females educated in STEM fields and working in STEM-related jobs. Another important aspect, there are fewer individuals of color and females with decision making authority. This needs to change.

Kamela then mentioned that “the next layer is to work collectively to strategize on how to change. Build a strategy to change the narrative. Ask yourself, what are some of the steps you feel are necessary to achieve this?”

To close these gaps, we must invest in urban schools. We need to go where the children are located and where the most significant gaps exist. For example, Patricia cited that Rockwell Automation created Partner Schools where they collaborate with the administrators and teachers to create a learning system and make an investment in the students. They also partner with other organizations (for example, Boys & Girls Club, Project Lead the Way, FIRST Robotics, etc.) to be able to pool resources and make a more significant impact.

Ask yourself, what can your organization do to help close the gaps?

Here a few simple steps to take:

1. Identify the right partner(s)

2. Listen first

3. Invest your time, talent and money

4. Understand that this is a long-term investment and consistency is critical

Another example to share, Jilly’s entire team selects to fund and partner collaboratively with non-traditional organizations in the community. Sometimes these non-traditional organizations get over looked. But most importantly, take action not matter which organizations you chose to collaborate with.

What can your organization do to accomplish equity? Teams must reflect the diversity of the community. To achieve this, it takes real commitment, starting at the top with leadership. Organizations with a diverse workforce will prioritize diversity and embed it into the company culture.  Along with diversity, both equity and inclusion need to be part of the culture. It is not only critical for a business to survive but it is the right thing to do; it makes good business sense. Why? Diversity is a requirement for innovation. Innovation isn’t possible without diversity of thought; diversity is the critical ingredient for a successful organization or business.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are all part of our culture, and each is vital to the success of any organization. When we do have a diverse group of individuals, it is crucial to ask ourselves, are we treating everyone the same?

More questions to ask are:

• Do we celebrate and respect differences?

• Do they have the same access to the tools?

• Do they have the same access to the opportunities?

• Do group members trust each other?

These are big questions with no quick remedy for answers, but it does come back to having open and honest conversations and the willingness to make changes to close the gaps. Some points to consider to establish equity in STEM…

• We need to start young. The sooner we can introduce students to STEM and keep it fun, the better. With hands-on activities, kids get to experience and use critical thinking skills.

• During this time of virtual learning, we mustn’t forget about parents & caregivers and arm them with the tools and information needed.

• Students and educators need to know about STEM careers, understand the career pathways and have exposure to hands-on opportunities.

How can organizations create an inclusive work and learning place to help with recruiting diverse talent and ultimately achieving equity?  We can recruit diverse individuals but not create equity, which means there needs to be inclusion. People need to feel included, to be acknowledged, their ideas are recognized and implemented, and they are treated for their talent, not based on their race or gender. Diversity focuses on the person, but equity focuses on the system.

So now that we admit that inequities exist and that we want to work on this issue, what can you do?

1. Be open. Initiate honest conversations. Tackle the hard subjects. Listen, listen, and then listen some more.

2. Educate yourself. Take the time to educate yourself and understand current issues, even the problems that don’t touch you directly. Kamela admits she is a “news junkie” and enjoys reading about current affairs. She is currently reading the book Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do (Issues of Our Time) by Claude M. Steele and recommends this book. In this book, it proves how women taking a math test will perform worse when reminded that women aren’t expected to do well in math. It explains that this is an example of the “stereotype threat.” In his book, he lays out a plan to reshape those expectations. This is one example, but there are countless books, videos, podcasts available for each of us to educate ourselves on the current issues.

3. Do something tangible every day and commit to taking action. For example, call out inequities, donate or volunteer at an organization fighting to create equity, start a conversation, exercise your right to vote, etc. We each can make a difference.

Gleaning inspiration from these three local champions, perhaps each of us can do our part to close the gaps to achieve equity in STEM. All of these accomplished women said that they became passionate about equity in STEM after a personal experience of their own that affected them and inspired them to make a difference for the next generation. As Patty said it so eloquently, “Lifting others, lifting the community. We all have a role to play in ensuring that equity is not only words but the actions that we take daily - Only then will we see our full potential as a country ”.

Posted on September 1, 2020 by Maureen Haeger, Communications Manager, STEM Forward