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C O M M E N TA RY VO L . X X I N O. X V J U LY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5 32 T he founding of the Sisters of Mercy, a religious congregation dedicated to the concerns of women and children, was inspired by Mother Catherine McAuley's confrontation with poverty and the oppression of women. Catherine visualized education as a means to eff ect social change and help women discover and achieve their full potential. It is this philosophy that is the foundation of the only all-girls' high school in the state of Maine, Catherine McAuley High School. In alignment with our namesake's endeavor, our mission is to help girls with dreams become women of vision and action. It is with great prior- ity that we apply this mission to our STREAM-based curricula. STREAM is the acronym for science, technology, religion, engineering, arts and math. STREAM schools seek to infuse the traditional STEM curricula with a com- mitment to ethical behavior rooted in religious and spiritual teachings, experi- ential social justice projects and the arts. Much attention has been given to America's STEM workforce shortage and its contribution to a widening talent gap arising between America and its eco- nomic competitors. In 2013, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected 9.2 million jobs will be created in STEM fi elds by 2023. From 2008 to 2018, STEM jobs are expected to grow by 17%. However, only 8% of college graduates enter the work- force prepared for a STEM career. But the real problem underlying those numbers is an enormous gender gap. Despite making up almost half the workforce, women represent only 26% of STEM workers, according to cen- sus data . is disparity can be traced back to K-12 education, where the National Assessment of Educational Progress shows that while male students were more likely to receive credits in STEM courses, female students per- formed equally or exceeded their male counterparts, indicating that interest, not aptitude, is the issue. While a disparity begets urgency, potential inspires action; and the poten- tial for women in STEM fi elds is sig- nifi cant. According to the White House Offi ce of Science and Technology, women in STEM jobs earn 33% more than those in non-STEM occupations and experience a smaller wage gap rela- tive to men. But developing an interest in STEM fi elds among young women requires more than just a classroom solu- tion. To eff ectively address the challenge, educators must reach beyond our institu- tional walls and create opportunities for rewarding engagement with community partners. at is why we are implement- ing a robust strategy to enhance our STREAM curricula in conjunction with the development of an intergenerational campus that will serve as a model for engaging young women in STEM fi elds. Our shared vision for the property is to develop an intergenerational com- munity committed to energy-effi cient technologies, smart growth strategies, preservation engineering and health care accessibility. Sea Coast Management is our partner in creating a truly interac- tive campus that will enliven classroom learning with practical applications in service of our neighbors and in so doing, demonstrate to young women the rewards of STEM education. Granting partners include EPSCoR and SEANET, whose funds have enabled the development of our Science Discovery Camp for elementary and middle school girls to learn new tech- niques in biotechnology, gain laboratory experience and better understand sus- tainable ecosystems. Additionally, e Davis Family Foundation and Hoehl Family Foundations have provided awards for capacity building and orga- nizational development. President Obama, referencing the STEM gender gap, identifi ed the simple truth when he said, " at means that we've got a whole bunch of talent…not being encouraged the way they need to." Educators are in the talent encourage- ment business, but meeting the chal- lenge of producing a qualifi ed, ethical, creative STEM workforce requires a communal investment. McAuley High School is doing its part with 44% of our most recent graduates entering STEM fi elds of study. We intend to build on this success by creating a collaborative model with our neighbors via the pro- posed intergenerational campus, and we look forward to the shared successes that it will deliver for Maine and beyond. KathrYn WooDson Barr, h e a d o f s c h o o l a t C a t h e r i n e McAuley High School in Portland, c an be r ea ched at kat hrY n. B a r r @ m c a U l e Y h s . o r G A community model for inspiring young women to STEM achievement B Y K A T H R Y N W O O D S O N B A R R www.momentumconvention.com Tuesday, November 10 9:00am–4:00pm | Augusta Civic Center I N T E R E S T E D I N PA R T I C I PAT I N G ? Call Donna Brassard at 207.761.8379 x327 FOLLOW US @MBEVENTS #MOCO15 Be part of Maine's largest business-to-business event and network with customers and prospects. Space is limited, reserve early! Reserve your exhibit space now! 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