NESS Lauds International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Despite focused efforts to move more women and girls toward STEM-focused careers, statistics show little progress. But it’s a slow climb to gain equal footing.
According to U.S. Census data, women made up 38% of all U.S. workers and 8% of STEM workers in 1970. By 2019, women made up 48% of all workers, while 27% were represented in STEM. Those numbers are similar in today’s job market.
That’s why efforts such as the International Day of Women & Girls in Science, observed every February 11, celebrate the achievements of women who have forged the way for those working in science today. For Nina Quaratella, Director of Programs with New England Science & Sailing (NESS), it’s certainly worth celebrating.
“I always knew that I wanted to work in ocean conservation and was given great mentorship and professional development opportunities by various women in the field,” she said. “At NESS, I continually feel grateful to be part of such an impactful organization, doing the things I love and working alongside like-minded women in every department. I see firsthand the relationships that are built to empower women to feel confident that they can work in our field, and there are many avenues to doing so.”
NESS offers STEM-based curriculum and programs for K-12 schools and communities, including marine science, sailing, powerboating, and adventure sports as experiential learning platforms. At least 50 percent of their students are girls, and NESS aims to prepare them for college and STEM careers.
“There’s something special about having an educator or mentor who has been in your shoes and understands what it’s like to be a young woman on the water,” said Sarah Warren, NESS Director of Sailing, who leads the Marine Mavens program. “Growing up in the world of sailing, boating, and science, I didn’t experience being taught or coached by women. Knowing that you share a connection with your educator gives you more confidence and a true vision of a path into that world.”
Initially built for a grant-funded initiative, NESS’s after-school Marine Mavens program introduces and explores the seafaring and maritime industries through STEM subjects and hands-on experiences for young women ages 12–17. Marine Mavens allows more young women to gain experience on the water, discovering the science behind the ocean and how they can feel confident, supported, skilled, and empowered to pursue ocean-based, historically male-dominated careers.
Our future depends on it. According to McKinsey and Company, women and girls’ equal participation and leadership in STEM are important for technological growth and innovation as well as the global economy in facing critical issues such as climate change.
“Being a part of this community of young women, fearlessly exploring the different sides of our ocean and learning the science behind it, has become the program that I look forward to the most,” says Warren. “Seeing our Mavens lift each other and move through the world with confidence is so inspiring to be a part of; it’s something I wish I had when I was younger, and I am grateful to be a part of it now.”
