The STEM field has traditionally been thought to be a male-dominated career path since there is not an abundance of examples of women in STEM portrayed by social media, museums, curriculum and imagery in the media. Mr. Matthew Crommett, Director at Lyda Hill Philanthropies, was recently a guest on the Rex Academy Podcast where he outlined the movement for creating a cultural shift.
Mr. Crommett noted that a cultural shift could be accomplished by providing examples of female professional role models. Through his work, he hopes to empower the next generation of change-makers, especially young women, by providing examples of successful women in the STEM field. Lyda Hill Philanthropies recently engaged in the #IfThenSheCan Exhibit which features more than 120 life-size statues of women who work in the STEM field. Such an exhibit is one example of creating a narrative shift by providing vivid depictions of women who have made significant contributions in their industry. Mr. Crommett also noted that the use of social media, such as TikTok, has provided another avenue for engaging Gen Z viewers and opening the dialogue for young women to become engaged in the STEM field.
Rex Academy provides the next generation of change-makers with resources to start the process of learning computer science skills and exploring potential STEM careers. With a fully developed curriculum that guides a learner through the material, students are able to engage in computer science and STEM learning pathways in school or independently at home. Administrators, teachers, and parents can utilize the RexAcademy curriculum to open doors for the next generation as students begin to explore their future pathways.