KTVB Channel 7, a local Boise TV station visited our Edventures Lab on August 13th. We have included the feature story from their website below:

http://www.ktvb.com/home/Boise-company-works-to-steer-girls-into-science-engineering-careers-219551521.html

PCS Edventures Lab addressing the gender gap in STEM literacy

According to recent statistics released by the White House, the US has a huge gender gap in STEM literacy and STEM careers. The White House launched an initiative in getting girls STEM ready, which will produce a competitive work force. As fewer girls pursue expertise in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) the emphasis is on how we can introduce girls to STEM education earlier. PCS is addressing this STEM literacy gap by introducing girls to “hands-on” learning at our Edventures Lab.  Some key statistics we intend to change through our “hands-on” robotics (STEM) training are listed below:

• Women make up 48% of the workforce in the US, but hold only 24% of the STEM jobs
• According to an American Society for Quality Poll, of 8-17 year olds, 24% of boys said they were interested in an engineering career, versus 5% of girls
• 40% of men with STEM degrees work in related fields while only 26% of women with STEM degrees work in related fields
• Women working in STEM jobs earn 33% more than women working in other fields

Stay tuned for more local and regional news features on PCS Edventures as we reach out to media to share the ways PCS is engaging K12 students in unique hands-on learning preparing them for STEM careers.