The STEM Gap: Women and Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

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AAUW has been a leader in efforts to promote women in STEM fields since its founding in 1881. Through fellowships, programs, advocacy, and research, AAUW has inspired hundreds of thousands of girls to pursue science and math and helped thousands of women become scientists, engineers, and mathematicians.

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STEM DAY 2025

On November 7, 2025 AAUW-COS hosted our fourth consecutive annual STEM DAY program.  Sixty-four AAUW and community volunteers assisted 188 seventh-grade girls from a dozen local middle schools, who conducted experiments in chemistry, electricity, and engineering.  This year, for the first time, Cool Science and UCCS offered to help the girls with a new experiment, “Bungee Barbies,” and it was an instant hit! The experiment involved determining how many rubber bands should be tied to a Barbie Doll so that when she was dropped over a balcony, she would just touch the floor.

       

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STEM FEST 2026

On March 3, 2026 forty highly-motivated middle school girls will participate in STEM FEST, hosted and run by Colorado Springs Utilities at their Mesa Road facility.  Guided by volunteers from the utility company the girls will conduct three experiments based on water filtering in the morning, then take an afternoon tour of CSU’s water.

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STEM – Moving Forward

Due to overwhelmingly positive support and interest in this program, our Branch’s goals are to expand STEM Day to host 300 girls, as well as make STEM FEST a second annual event.

These events are only possible because of the many volunteers from AAUW and the community.  If you are interested in volunteering please click here to contact the Board who will put you in touch with the STEM Day coordinator.