Walking into a Wed. meeting of LFHS’ Women in STEM club, you won’t find silent students quietly solving equations, but instead students’ laughter over cookie experiments, conversations with real scientists, and groups huddled over physics labs.
Aimed to support women interested in STEM, the club was founded to create a welcoming environment where young women can develop their confidence and curiosity in any STEM field.
Instead of focusing on competition, this club emphasizes creative, supportive, and engaging academic groups that strive to build curiosity, create strong friendships, and have fun. They focus on group work so that students who are interested in exploring some field of science feel less pressure, and are able to form friendships with other students with shared interests.
“Near the end of the year, we hope that the students in Women in STEM have built a new community, created bonds with other students, and made some new friends,” science teacher and club sponsor Mrs. Jessica Nardulli said.
For lots of members, joining the club has made them feel more confident to explore and engage in fields that are more male-dominated.
“I’ve been fascinated with STEM since I was a little kid, and I remember I went to this computer science workshop and I was one of two girls there. It was a little intimidating, but it’s also cool being one of the only girls there. It feels like I’m proving I belong there, and other women do as well,” junior Lainey Laughton said.
Joining Women in STEM, Laughton has been able to connect with girls who share her deep passion. for STEM
“Being in this club has helped me surround myself with other girls who share some of the same interests I have,” said Laughton. “I feel like it helps create a network where you know you’re not the only girl going into any field of science or math.”
The club is loved by students as they are able to put their creativity into the fun and engaging activities offered during meetings every other Wed.
“We try to take fun things like cookie experiments, slime making, and crystallization and make them into little science lessons. This is super fun because they are fun activities and it’s really cool to see how, for example, different butter temperatures affect baking,” Club President and senior Charlotte McEvoy said.
A huge highlight during the yea is when they have guest scientists come in and present, along with occasionally doing activities with them.
“Seeing real people and women taking on these careers makes it feel more possible for us young women to take on STEM fields,” McEvoy said.
Although the club is named Women in STEM, it is open to all students. To join the club, you don’t need to be super experienced: just interested in STEM. The club also has casual meetings like “STEM snacks & study” where you prepare for finals and eat lots of snacks!
As the club keeps growing each year, they hope that more students join to create an even bigger yet tight-knit community. They also hope young women with the interests in any STEM field feel more confident in taking on whatever they want to do in their future.
