Lewisburg seniors promote STEM for young girls

Two seniors from Lewisburg Area High School are encouraging younger girls to explore STEM subjects. Eighteen-year-olds Mariah Drexler and Alanna Jacob founded a group called Girls Need Space. Their program helps girls in the area feel included in science, technology, engineering, and math. The group meets monthly and has organized several fun events. They host stargazing nights and workshops where girls can build model rockets. Drexler emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment where younger girls can learn and feel confident. Jacob is motivated by the potential of these girls and believes early exposure to STEM can lead to greater achievements in the future. Drexler and Jacob want to address the gender gap in STEM fields. Studies show that women make up less than a third of the workforce in technology and related areas. The two seniors have drawn inspiration from notable women in science, such as mathematician Katherine Johnson, who played a key role at NASA. Recently, they guided six girls in building and launching model rockets. The children learned about the mechanics involved and celebrated their successes by launching the rockets. Parents praised the seniors for their leadership and inspiring younger girls to pursue interests in science and engineering. The Girls Need Space program is supported by a grant they received, which allowed them to purchase a new telescope. Their next workshop will focus on using the telescope and discussing gender issues in STEM through a film. They hope to continue running the program, even after they graduate this spring. Drexler plans to study physics and computer science at Duke University, while Jacob aims to focus on environmental science or biology at Tufts University.