Cape Fear Museum of History and Science has launched an outreach program to inspire young women and gender minorities to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM.
The Association of Science and Technology Centers, or ASTC, selected the museum for the IF/THEN Gender Equity Grant in the amount of $8,600, part of broader efforts to advance diversity, accessibility, inclusion and equity.
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IF/THEN aims to further advance women in STEM by empowering current innovators and inspiring the next generation of pioneers
The museum chose six local women and six women from the IF/THEN Collection, a digital asset library of women STEM innovators for educational and other noncommercial use, to represent a diverse group of role models in STEM fields to inspire the next generation of young female scientists.
“We are excited to partner with ASTC and the IF/THEN Initiative on this important project to create a culture shift in STEM and increase female representation,” said Sheryl Mays, museum director. “We know that ‘IF she can see it, THEN she can be it’ and this outreach project features images of diverse women in STEM careers to educate and inspire the next generation.”
The outreach banner project features life-size photos and stories from each of the selected women and will travel to a range of partner sites serving girls and young women in grades K-12.
Local ambassadors included in the project are the following:
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- Darcie Roten, science content developer at Cape Fear Museum
- Erika Edwards and Kristi Ray, cinematographers, editors, producers and directors at Honey Head Films
- Sara Izad, software architect at nCino
- Bethany Hart, flight paramedic at New Hanover Regional Medical Center
- Kristian Davis, veterinarian Assistant at Forest Hills Veterinary Hospital
- Ashley Lomboy, global information security manager at Corning Inc.
The outreach banner project will debut at Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington, or GLOW, in early May and students will have the opportunity to provide feedback and share thoughts on STEM careers. The project will then move to Cape Fear Museum and be on display during the month of June.
The museum is looking for more community partners to display the banner project and can contact Barbi Baker at 910-798-4367 or bbaker@nhcgov.com for more information.
Launched by Lyda Hill Philanthropies, the IF/THEN Initiative is built on the mantra that, “If we support a woman in STEM, Then she can change the world.” The initiative includes a large coalition of organizations that span science, media, fashion, education, philanthropy, entertainment, sports and beyond.
