2020 Summary
Despite all of the challenges brought on by 2020, Women in STEM remained committed to growth and development. We are incredibly proud of how many new chapters have been added to the WiSTEM network, not only in the United States, but internationally as well. We are looking forward to 2021 and all of the opportunities that Women in STEM will have in the new year.
40
New Chapters
381
New Members
8
New States
4
New Countries
Our Chapters
In 2020, we are happy to have welcomed 40 new chapters to Women in STEM, our most successful year yet: Beachwood HS (OH), Biotech HS (NJ), Blue Valley North HS (KA), Canterbury HS (IN), Canyon Crest HS (CA), Cesear E. Chavez HS (CA), Chattahoochee HS (GA), Christ Chapel Academy (VA), Concordia Lutheran HS (TX), Darussafaca Educational Institute (Turkey), Dublin Jerome HS (OH), Duluth HS (GA), Dwight HS (NY), East Brunswick HS (NJ), Eleanor Roosevelt HS (MD), Forest Ridge HS (WA), GEMS Modern Academy (Dubai), Glenview Park HS (Canada), Jones College Prep (IL), Lake Braddock HS (VA), Lambert HS (GA), Maadi STEM School (Egypt), Manhasset HS (NY), Mission Hills HS (CA), Mission San Jose (CA), Mt. Carmel HS (CA), Norman HS (OK), Ottawa Chapter (Canada), Parkland HS (PA), Plymouth HS (MI), Prior Lake HS (MN), Ridge HS (NJ), Ruben S. Ayala HS (CA), San Diego HS (CA), Seminole Hs (FL), Thomas Jefferson HS (VA), University of Illinois Lab School (IL), Westview HS (CA), William A. Hough HS (NC), Winterpark HS (FL).
Each chapter hosts meetings individually at their school, and focuses on Women in STEM’s three main initiatives: outreach, mentorship, and networking. Whether they have discussion based meetings, field trips, guest speakers, or do STEM based community service and outreach, we are constantly impressed by the dedication each chapter has to improving female representation in STEM fields. To see more of our chapters, visit the Our Chapters page on this website, and to start a chapter at your school, send us a message on the Become an Ambassador page.
Senior Panel
As the alumni network grows each year, we are grateful for the advice and support of all former members of Women in STEM. In August, before our most recent alumni class began university, Women in STEM held a virtual senior panel. Ambassadors and members of all chapters came to the first Zoom meeting, in which the recent graduates were able to answer questions and discuss all things college applications, senior year, future plans, and of course, being a Woman in STEM. The second meeting, limited to ambassadors only, allowed for a smaller meeting and conversation. Each senior entered one breakout room and ambassadors could choose which to speak with. These smaller and more personal conversations let ambassadors better get to know one another, ask direct questions about the application process to specific schools, and overall give and get advice from each other. With such a widespread and driven community of students, we are so glad to have alumni and ambassadors that are always willing to support the Women in STEM Organization and are confident that will continue into 2021.
International Expansion
Women in STEM moved into even more countries internationally in 2020! This year, Women in STEM chapters were started by Nazli Eren, in Turkey at the Darussafaka Educational Institution in Turkey, Maleeka Ellaithy and Mayeen Ayoub in the city-wide Ottawa chapter in Canada, Hana Essam at Maadi STEM School in Egypt, and Vishnumaya Deepakchandran at the GEMS Modern Academy in Dubai. We can’t wait to see all that these new chapters and ambassadors can do as well as how much more Women in STEM can expand internationally in 2021.
New Leadership
As an organization run for and by high school girls, the core leadership is vital to keep Women in STEM moving forward. This Summer ambassadors had the chance to apply for various positions of Leadership for the 2020-2021 school year. Avantika Khanna, ambassador for the Bridgewater-Raritan chapter took on the position of President of Women in STEM where she helps plan for the overall direction and changes this year. Natalie Ripps, from the Clarke Central chapter, is now the Director of Communications and Publicity. Director of Development, Kelly Wu, is the ambassador from the Prior Lake chapter. As Director of Development Kelly is responsible for creating new initiatives and creating strong bond between all of our chapters. In this role, Natalie helps to increase the visibility of Women in STEM, and building our relationships with college and universities across the country to work with as mentors. Divya Vikram, the ambassador from Alpharetta High School, is this year’s Director of Digital Media. Not only does Divya run all Women in STEM social media accounts, she also designs each post and handles all online communication. Anvi Peddi from the Denmark chapter, Gabriela Holzer from the Eleanor Roosevelt chapter, and Erin Tran from the Thomas Jefferson chapter became Directors of Outreach. In this role, the Directors of Outreach introduce every new chapter into the network, and being the main point of contact for all new ambassadors and chapters. Faith Reeves, ambassador for the Wylie E. Groves chapter, is this year’s Website Manager. As Website Manager, Faith updates all new ambassador and chapter profiles as well as important events held within the organization. The Leadership Team couldn’t have enjoyed this chance to work together more, and are already looking forward to a year of success for Women in STEM in 2021!
Online Presence
Our online presence grew this year with the introduction of a brand new Instagram page (@womeninstem__org) as well as more posts on our Facebook. Women in STEM also expanded to rely more on our LinkedIn and we have been able to make hundreds of new connections that have led to reaching new ambassadors and professionals to work with in the new year. In 2021 we hope to continue to broaden our online presence through our plans for social media “takeovers” from the Leadership team, updates on our growth and development and overall engaging with more high school students that want to join WiSTEM. To stay up to date on all of our events, initiatives, and chapters, follow us on Instagram, friend us on Facebook, and connect with us on LinkedIn!
