Empowering Black Girls in S.T.E.A.M: The Tech Should Be Female Movement

Growing up in a world where textbooks, educational materials, and even career paths are often tailored to a specific demographic, many young Black girls aren’t given the opportunity to see themselves reflected in fields like Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M). This lack of representation goes beyond images in books; it’s about creating an environment that encourages young Black girls to see STEAM as both accessible and achievable. The Tech Should Be Female coloring book series was born from this vision—a vision to inspire, educate, and empower by providing them with relatable, culturally relevant educational materials.

REPRESENTATION IN STEM REPRESENTATION IN STEAM

DaVonda St.Clair

4/6/20244 min read

The Root of the Problem: Underrepresentation and Self-Esteem Challenges

The disparity of representation in STEM (and now STEAM) fields creates a barrier to even imagining themselves in these careers. According to a National Science Foundation report, Black women make up only 2.5% of the U.S. STEM workforce. This statistic highlights the lack of exposure and engagement with these fields from an early age, leading many to believe that tech and science aren’t spaces where they belong.

A study by The American Association of University Women shows that girls who lack role models in these fields experience self-esteem issues and lower confidence in their ability to succeed in traditionally male-dominated fields. The Tech Should Be Female series aims to address this by showing young Black girls that they have a place in the future of technology, engineering, and beyond.

Joy Buolamwini, Computer Scientist and Founder of the Algorithmic Justice League:

“I started exploring questions about who gets to shape the world and who is missing from those tables of power.”

Why STEAM, Not Just STEM?

STEAM education—adding the “A” for arts to the STEM fields—is a teaching approach that not only emphasizes technical skills but also fosters creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. According to research by XQ Super Schools, the arts in STEAM provide students with tools to approach problems from new angles, allowing for interdisciplinary learning that connects science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with creativity and social awareness.

The arts play a powerful role in STEAM, helping young people build empathy, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively—all essential skills for success in the workforce. Integrating the arts in education prepares students to tackle complex, real-world challenges and helps them see themselves in various roles across these fields. With Tech Should Be Female, young girls can explore their creativity while learning about the exciting possibilities within STEAM, discovering a new passion in a field they might not have otherwise considered.

How STEAM Education Empowers Young Black Girls

Kimberly Bryant, Founder of Black Girls CODE:

“When I was in college, I didn’t see many people who looked like me. I don’t want other girls to experience that.”

The Tech Should Be Female coloring book series isn’t just about introducing STEAM concepts—it’s about transforming how young Black girls experience learning. By presenting stories, illustrations, and activities featuring Black female role models in STEAM, these books provide an engaging way for girls to relate to and envision themselves in these fields. Here’s how STEAM education positively impacts young girls:

- Building Confidence through Representation

When Black girls see women who look like them achieving greatness in STEAM, it reinforces the belief that they, too, can succeed in these areas. Representation empowers them to pursue their passions confidently, regardless of external stereotypes or limitations.

- Encouraging Creative Problem-Solving

STEAM education teaches children to use creativity in solving real-world challenges. A project-based STEAM approach, which includes arts, helps girls develop innovative thinking skills that they can use throughout life.

- Enhancing Critical Thinking and Resilience

Tackling projects that require both analytical and creative thinking helps young girls build resilience. They learn to approach problems from multiple perspectives, adapt, and persevere—a mindset that is essential in all areas of life and work.

- Promoting Collaboration and Real-World Skills

STEAM education encourages teamwork and collaboration, teaching girls how to work with others, value diverse perspectives, and effectively communicate ideas. These skills are essential not only in the workforce but in building community and fostering empathy.

- Preparing for Future Careers in a Changing World

Many jobs that today’s students will hold don’t yet exist, making STEAM’s interdisciplinary, adaptable approach invaluable. STEAM cultivates a range of skills from technical know-how to social and emotional intelligence, helping students be ready for whatever the future holds.

The Tech Should Be Female Mission: A Path Forward for Cultural Agility in STEAM

The Tech Should Be Female coloring book series is more than just educational material—it’s a movement to inspire the next generation of globally conscious innovators, scientists, and engineers. By integrating relatable stories and images, these books bridge the gap between imagination and reality for young Black girls, making it clear that the world of STEAM is for everyone, including them.

At its core, this series is about inclusion and empowerment. It seeks to dismantle the systemic barriers that have traditionally kept Black girls and women from pursuing STEAM, creating a positive, encouraging experience with STEAM concepts that speak to their own experiences, dreams, and identities.

Why Representation in Educational Materials Matters

Dr. Aprille Ericsson, Aerospace Engineer at NASA:

“You can’t be what you can’t see. It’s important for young people to see that there are people of color and women making incredible contributions in science and technology.”

Educational tools play a profound role in shaping children’s worldviews. When young Black girls engage with materials that reflect their culture, heritage, and potential, they’re more likely to feel valued and capable. The impact of this representation is far-reaching:

- Boosted Self-Esteem: Seeing themselves reflected in educational content gives confidence to pursue interests in STEAM.

- Interest in STEAM from an Early Age: Early exposure increases the likelihood that young girls will pursue STEAM as a career, giving them a head start in a field that’s still growing and evolving.

- A Vision of a More Inclusive Future: The more diverse voices we bring into STEAM, the more these fields will reflect the society they serve, driving innovation and empathy in ways we can only begin to imagine.

Bridging the Gap with Tech Should Be Female

In creating Tech Should Be Female, the mission is clear: to provide young Black girls with an accessible, engaging pathway into the world of STEAM. The coloring book series is a response to a need for culturally attuned, empowering educational materials that speak to their unique experiences and perspectives. With STEAM-focused content that brings in the arts alongside science and technology, this series opens doors for girls to see themselves as future leaders in industries that need their voices, creativity, and ingenuity.

By fostering early interest in STEAM, the Tech Should Be Female series not only empowers our young girls but also contributes to building a more globalized future in technology and science. These young innovators are the next generation of creators, thinkers, and problem-solvers—ready to change the world, one colorful page at a time.

Dr. Knatokie Ford, Biomedical Scientist and Founder of Fly Sci Enterprise:

“We can’t rely on others to tell our story; we need to tell it ourselves.”