As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we at JerseySTEM reflect on the extraordinary legacy of women who have transformed the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. But more importantly, we look to the future we’re actively building—a future where young girls no longer question whether they belong in STEM, but rather which STEM path they’ll choose to pursue.
The Mentor-Mentee Connection: A Powerful Catalyst
Our program’s unique strength lies in the beautiful symbiosis between college students and middle school girls. When an engineering student guides a 12-year-old through her first successful robotics project, something magical happens: both lives are transformed. The middle schooler sees a tangible example of what she can become, while the college mentor reinforces their own belonging in their chosen field by passing knowledge to the future generation.
“I was always fascinated by technology and problem-solving,” shares Vaishnavi Mhaske, a program instructor volunteer at JerseySTEM. “When I wrote my first piece of code, it felt like magic to see my ideas come to life on the screen! This sense of empowerment is something I strive to bring into my teaching. I want our middle schoolers to experience that same spark of curiosity and realize that they, too, can be creators, not just consumers, of technology.”
Creating an Ecosystem of Support
The STEM gender gap doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Research consistently shows that girls begin losing interest in STEM subjects around middle school age—precisely when social pressures intensify and fewer examples of women in these fields are visible to them (Microsoft, 2018; National Science Foundation, 2023). This critical juncture is where JerseySTEM steps in.
Our after-school programs in coding, robotics, chemistry, and biology create safe spaces where girls can explore, experiment, and sometimes fail—all essential parts of the scientific process. By making these experiences accessible and engaging, we’re helping build the pipeline of future women in STEM.
One of our instructors witnessed this transformation firsthand: “A student who was initially hesitant about coding ended up leading her team in programming a Taco Bot with a distance sensor,” Vaishnavi recalls. “On the first day, she admitted, ‘STEM careers seem too challenging, and I don’t think I have what it takes.’ However, everything changed when she saw the robot successfully respond to obstacles. Her face lit up with excitement, and she turned to me and said, ‘I didn’t think I could do this, but now I want to build my own robot!'” These moments reaffirm why representation and hands-on learning in STEM are so crucial.
Join the Movement
“STEM is not just about numbers and code—it’s about creativity, innovation, and making an impact,” emphasizes Vaishnavi in her message to girls uncertain about pursuing STEM. “If you’ve ever been curious about how things work or wanted to create something new, then STEM is for you! Don’t be afraid to explore and make mistakes; every expert started as a beginner. The world needs more diverse perspectives in STEM, and your ideas matter.”
Together, we’re not just celebrating women’s history—we’re actively writing its next chapter, one after-school club at a time.
Want to make a difference like Vaishnavi ? Learn more about our open volunteer positions at JerseySTEM.org