Pink Space Theory Heroes: Providing Girls and Students in Underserved Communities with a Path into STEM

Over the past decade, more and more girls, women, and those from underserved communities have made the empowering decision to pursue a career in science. STEM fields have been predominantly male throughout history despite the number of women within these fields growing within the past few years. Gender inequality is still a major issue within STEM,  only 28% of STEM workers being female in 2018.

As the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our lives, it brought the importance of scientific study and careers into full focus. That’s why we’re dedicated to creating lifelong learners and being that spark for young people that will lead them into a fulfilling and passionate career in science that will last for the rest of their lives. 

Pink Space Theory 

Pink Space Theory is how we do this. Located in the Washington DC Metro area, Pink Space Theory is a mobile space that provides educational programs to give students the opportunity to find creative ways to solve challenges they may face in the real world.

We believe that a passion for science can be sparked provided girls and students in underserved communities are given the right learning opportunities. With this in mind, Pink Space Theory develops female and minority students into lifelong learners within the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) community.

Through challenge-based learning, we help our students to gain the skills they need for a career in the modern world of STEM, including critical thinking skills, creative-problem solving skills, collaboration skills, and communication skills.

Pink Space Theory understands that giving girls and minorities access to this type of education and opportunities is the best way to inspire these students to pursue a career in STEM. Our team of staff and volunteers represent these underserved communities, namely women and ethnic minorities who are first-generation college students of STEM degrees or graduates of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.

It’s Time to Close the Gap 

We aim to encourage other girls and minorities to follow in our footsteps, helping them to become passionate about STEM subjects and work to close the STEM  gender and class gap.

Thankfully, more and more women and minorities have started pursuing STEM subjects at college, however, so have men, and at a faster rate. Consequently, the gender gap is not only still there, it is actually increasing.

Not only is the female gender underrepresented as a whole, but minority women are underrepresented even further. In 2018, 86% of female graduates in science and engineering were white or Asian, with fewer than 4% Latina, and less than 3% Black. These are statistics that need to change. 

Further to this gender gap within STEM is the wage gap between male and female workers. This remains a problem in many industries but is particularly detrimental to STEM as women are less inclined to pursue a career in these fields with these social and financial challenges in place.

Become a Pink Space Theory Hero 

With these statistics in mind, this is where Pink Space Theory comes to the rescue. With our Giving Tuesday campaign, you can become a Pink Space Theory Hero by donating to our Make Tech Pink Program. This enrichment program specifically targets girls from low-income households who are in Grades 3 to 6 within Title 1 schools. 

The Giving Tuesday campaign - Building Skills for Tech Dreams, focuses specifically on computer science, which is an ever-growing field that needs more female and minority voices. Increasing the education and awareness of Computer Science, what it is and the opportunities it presents, is key, especially at a young age, if we are going to increase the volume of these voices.  

Becoming a Pink Space Theory Hero is easy. Simply make a one-time donation or sign up for a monthly donation to contribute to helping girls become interested in STEM fields and help to bridge the STEM gap for younger generations and future generations to come. No matter the amount, your gift is an important investment in Pink Space Theory.

Click here to become a Pink Space Theory Hero today.

Pink Space Theory’s Giving Campaign lead is Gabriella Dover. Gabriella is a high school student interested in a career in pediatric occupational therapy or physical therapy.