@article{TEXTUAL,
      recid = {13312},
      author = {Ford, Simon J. and dos Santos, Raquel and dos Santos,  Ricardo},
      title = {Empowering Female High School Students for STEM Futures:  Career Exploration and Leadership Development at  Scientella},
      journal = {Education Sciences},
      address = {2024-08-29},
      number = {TEXTUAL},
      abstract = {Women remain underrepresented in STEM fields, with a major  STEM pipeline leakage occurring between high school and  post-secondary education. Past research suggests that  providing female high school students with opportunities  for problem-solving, prosocial behaviors and working  towards authentic communal goals can improve their  perceptions of STEM and the attractiveness of STEM careers.  Building on this prior research, we investigate Scientella,  a US-based, student-run organization that provides  out-of-school consulting projects, mentorships and webinars  to female high school students. Drawing on the direct  experiences of Scientella’s co-founders and analyzing  program survey data, we explore how Scientella provides  these opportunities, the benefits realized by students, and  the challenges faced by the organization. Survey data show  that involvement in Scientella’s activities provides  students with benefits related to STEM career exploration  and counter-stereotypical STEM skill development, including  career discovery, industry engagement and practical  experience, and the development of collaboration,  communication and social research skills. The admissions of  Scientella student leaders to STEM majors in selective US  colleges indicates the promise of Scientella’s approach,  and that providing students with opportunities to engage in  STEM-themed career exploration and leadership development  could be an effective strategy to increase female STEM  participation in post-secondary education and the pursuit  of subsequent career opportunities.},
      url = {http://knowledge.uchicago.edu/record/13312},
}