Flat tires, leaky faucets, and broken light switches. These things can be easily fixed by calling a handyman or trying to DIY the solution off of YouTube. What if we were taught these skills while in high school? The STEM department is full of teachers ready to teach any practical skill you desire, but only a certain group of students really take these classes – men.
On average, there are 2-3 female students in each STEM class. In her Intro to Woods course, Maddi Klee shared there were only four other female students out of 21 total students. Brynn Sloma, a senior, commented she was the only female in her Welding class. Carley Kapels, another senior, mentioned, “People would like it but are just too afraid to try it and want to take classes with their friends.”
While the school is happy for the students currently participating, they are yearning for more. STEM teaches vital skills about how to be successful on your own, which is especially important for the students graduating and moving out soon. Even the most basic STEM courses teach proper household tool use, as well as focusing on safety while repairing different pieces of technology.
Sloma stated, “STEM has made me more independent, and helpful within my family. When my mom was younger she was not encouraged to participate in courses like these because of the stigma around it. Because of that and my knowledge in STEM, I’ve become a crucial part of my household and I have more confidence for moving out on my own. I know I can be independent and save myself money with the knowledge of tools I have now.”
Having been a part of the STEM department for the past four years, it is the best decision I have made. I have taken a combination of Drafting and Engineering courses, and this year I am taking an Architecture course with Mr. Krysl. I have learned so many skills during my years that I would never have learned otherwise. Although I was one of very few girls in these classes, I chose to make the most of it, and you should, too!
If you get excited about fixing objects or learning about computer coding, look no further than the STEM department. There are classes for every walk of life, and every idea imaginable. Autos for car lovers, Drafting and Computer Science for those excited about design software, and Intro to Woods and Linkages, the beginner classes that will make you fall in love with the art.
If you have any questions, reach out to your counselor, Mr. Krysl ([email protected]), or any of the other STEM teachers. They are more than happy to answer any of your questions, because they are excited to have you.
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