CHULA VISTA, Calif. — Women have made some gains in the STEM industry, but they are still underrepresented.
The US Census Bureau reports while women make up almost half of the workforce only 28% are in the STEM field.
“There’s a huge gender gap in the field of STEM. The American Heart Association STEM Goes Red program gives diverse, female students access to science technology engineering and science jobs where they could be the next scientist who discovers a medical breakthrough.
A love for animals has transformed into a dream for Chantal Volteada.
“Animal science to be a veterinarian,” said Volteada, Castle Park High School senior.
A love for the ocean has Danna Mata on the path to be a marine biologist who studies environmental science.
“Studying the ocean, the acidification of the ocean, the temperature rising in the ocean,” said Mata, Castle Park High School senior.
Both are seniors in Darci Kimball’s Anatomy and Physiology Honors class at Castle Park High School in Chula Vista.
The Latina students are hoping to blaze a trail for other young women interested in STEM.
“It’s something growing, women in STEM. It’s an opportunity to open your mind to different topics,” said Volteada.
These opportunities are part of the American Heart Association’s STEM Goes Red program to help female students at Castle Park High uncover their potential and curiosity.
“Getting to investigate new things and learn new things that I didn’t already know,” said Mata.
The goal of the program is to empower women to sustain their roles in STEM.
Go Red For Women reports of 100 female students working towards a bachelor's degree, only three will work in a STEM job ten years after graduation.
“We started using labs, getting all the equipment that we would use in a real career,” said Mata.
STEM Goes Red is year around in the classroom but in November students go on a field trip on the USS Midway where they connect with professional STEM leaders and get an inside look at the impact STEM is making in the world.
These connections are helping to pave a path for young women to continue to love science.
“Don’t be afraid of it, it’s really interesting,” said Mata.
STEM Goes Red also partners with Sweetwater High School.
WATCH RELATED: San Diego author hopes to inspire Black innovators in STEM