According to the National Council for Research on Women (NCRW), the number of women earning bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees in math and science has increased significantly over the last 30 years—closing the education gap between men and women. NCRW attributes this increase to the work of educational institutions, foundations, professional networks and research and advocacy organizations.
One Bay Area nonprofit organization shares these values and is working to continue the upward trend. Techbridge, an organization that offers after-school and summer programs, encourages girls to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. The organization offers hands-on projects, career exploration opportunities, and academic and career guidance for girls.
"When I was little, I liked to build furniture for my Barbie dolls with my brother's erector set," said Linda Kekelis, director of Techbridge. "My brother went on to become an engineer and I followed a different path. Techbridge offers opportunities that prepare girls and young women for the 21st century workforce."
Since its founding by the Oakland-based Chabot Space & Science Center in 2000, Techbridge has reached more than 5,000 girls in grades five through 12 and has expanded to other communities with the help of third-party funding from companies such as Chevron.
Chevron is a long-time supporter of expanding educational opportunities in the Bay Area. For 15 years, Chevron has partnered with the Mt. Diablo Unified School District in Central Contra Costa County, and through its partnership with the Chabot Space & Science Center, was able to bring the Techbridge program to schools in the district.
On March 9, Chevron employees welcomed Techbridge students to the company's headquarters in San Ramon, Calif., for a field trip organized around careers in engineering. The students participated in a number of hands-on activities that explored geology-based topics. Chevron senior legal patent counsel Josetta Jones, who has been active in the Techbridge role model program, also participated in the event.
"Investing in our communities is a prominent aspect of Chevron's culture, and one that I very much identify with," said Jones. "It's inspiring to see these young girls learn and develop interests in topics that they may not have had exposure to otherwise, and that's why I am a Techbridge volunteer."
Chevron's relationship with Techbridge is funded through the company's California Partnership. Through the California Partnership, Chevron works to promote STEM education throughout the state. Chevron continues to partner with education-focused organizations that are filling the gap left by traditional education institutions.
"As a company composed primarily of scientists and engineers, Chevron understands the importance of encouraging youth to explore these fields. We want the next generation to not only carry on the ideas and projects we're exploring now, but to also think of the next big idea," said Matt Lonner, Chevron's manager of global partnerships and programs. "We're excited that Chevron and Techbridge can work together to build the next generation of women involved in technical fields."