GREENSBORO, N.C. — A group of female students in the Triad participated in a week-long program aimed at preparing the next generation of STEM workers for jobs that are coming to the state.

What You Need To Know

  • A nonprofit recently hosted a women in STEM event for female students in the Triad

  • The National Center for Science and Engineering Studies found that women only comprise one-third of STEM employees

  • The goal of the program is to encourage a wider range of students to explore interest in STEM fields

Over the next 10 years, companies like Toyota, Boom Supersonic and Vinfast will create nearly 15,000 jobs in North Carolina that require some level of STEM skills 

The U.S. Department of Labor also projects that STEM jobs will increase nearly twice the rate of other jobs in the next 10 years.

Molding Kids for Success is the nonprofit leg of Core Technology Molding Cooperation, a company owned by engineer and N.C. A&T graduate Geoff Foster and his wife, Tonya Foster.  

Three years ago they began offering summer STEM classes to help ensure those positions are accessible to women and students of color by encouraging their interest early.

This summer about a dozen girls ages 10 to 14 learned how science, technology, engineering and math are used in injection molding.

Instructor Krystal Moore is looking forward to the initiative making a difference.

“It’s exciting! We need more women in this field, in this industry. Normally when we walk into this industry, we see about two or three of us around here,” Moore said.

The National Center for Science and Engineering Studies released a report on diversity and STEM that found women comprise one-third of STEM employees.