Warren’s New STEM Club: Women In Science and Engineering
October 16, 2022
In search of the opportunities and support they lacked upon entering high school, two Warren seniors are starting a club for women pursuing STEM careers. Kiran Bhalla and Olivia
Buccelli, the trail blazers behind Women In Science and Engineering, or WISE, as the club is fondly referred to, hope to create a community where female students can support one another as they unlock their potential and pursue their passions.
Buccelli, the trail blazers behind Women In Science and Engineering, or WISE, as the club is fondly referred to, hope to create a community where female students can support one another as they unlock their potential and pursue their passions.
Science, technology, engineering, and math — the four subjects at the core of the STEM curriculum and from which the acronym is derived — have long been a vital part of society, but it was not until more recently that the topics were brought to the forefront of education. The acronym was first introduced by the U.S. National Science Foundation in 2001. Shortly after the curriculum’s formal recognition, studies made it apparent that the U.S ranks significantly behind countries around the world when it comes to STEM knowledge. Upon this discovery, STEM education has increasingly become a priority in American schools. Nonetheless, there is work to be done, particularly when it comes to bridging the gender disparity that is extremely evident within STEM fields.
Currently, women are underrepresented in STEM fields, for they are oftentimes not encouraged to pursue them the same way men are, a problem that Bhalla and Buccelli aim to
tackle through WISE. “Looking to go into STEM was breaking barriers not just in the community around me but also in my family culture…this can be intimidating at first,” details
Bhalla of her feelings when she first considered STEM. Buccelli went through a similar experience when it came to lacking support when she first sought out engineering; “I didn’t have anyone guiding me to take this path. My goal is to encourage more girls to explore STEM and keep going even if they feel like people don’t believe in them.” These students are not alone in this sentiment; women everywhere are held at an arm’s length from seeking traditionally “male” jobs and interests under the assumption that they are incapable or unfit. Bhalla and Buccelli are working to dismantle sexist stereotypes like these that have long been normalized in society.
The inspiration for WISE was largely rooted in the disproportionate number of girls in classes like Engineering, Physics, and Project Lead The Way (PLTW), according to Bhalla. She
has several friends that were too scared to join [PLTW] Freshman year with the fear of being the only girl in the class. Unfortunately, PLTW is a 4-year program at Warren, so this initial intimidation also prevented female students from gaining STEM experience later on. Bhalla describes how “this instance motivated [her] to create a space where students can encourage each other…and if there is only one other girl in the class, chances are you already know and are friends with her through the program!” The advisor for the club, Mrs. Ferrara, who works in WTHS Ed Tech and has a B.S in computational mathematics, expresses that Bhalla and Buccelli’s club proposal resonated with her own experiences, inspiring her to become involved.
has several friends that were too scared to join [PLTW] Freshman year with the fear of being the only girl in the class. Unfortunately, PLTW is a 4-year program at Warren, so this initial intimidation also prevented female students from gaining STEM experience later on. Bhalla describes how “this instance motivated [her] to create a space where students can encourage each other…and if there is only one other girl in the class, chances are you already know and are friends with her through the program!” The advisor for the club, Mrs. Ferrara, who works in WTHS Ed Tech and has a B.S in computational mathematics, expresses that Bhalla and Buccelli’s club proposal resonated with her own experiences, inspiring her to become involved.
Mrs. Ferrara has noticed that “girls often excel in [STEM] areas during elementary school,” and hopes that “this club will give girls the opportunity to explore the options in high school, college, and careers from STEM education.” The increased focus on STEM education is promising for WISE and women everywhere. Providing ways to become involved in STEM within the classroom is an important first step towards supporting aspiring women and eventually balancing the gender discrepancy. Buccelli feels that making these classes available to female students is necessary because “without them, girls will not be exposed to important career fields that could interest them.” The ability for women to explore the fields is not only key to finding their passions but also helps them to prepare and build confidence prior to attending college. Regardless of their enrollment in STEM-related classes, Warren students will be able to gain these benefits through WISE. Through WISE, those seeking further STEM education will find a sense of belonging and an uplifting environment within the Warren community. WISE’s sponsor and student leaders have laid out a plan for the club, which will involve several activities including games, presentations, and guest speakers. Through these endeavors, students will discover specific career options and hear firsthand experiences and advice from women actively working in various fields. The club will meet monthly at the O’Plaine campus in order to facilitate the inclusion of underclassmen who may be curious about STEM, but are not sure where to start.
While in its early stages, Women In Science and Engineering is sure to become a positive and inspirational program for ambitious students here at Warren. The women behind it are great role models for future members and cannot wait to meet other eager women in STEM.
