Virtual Conference Encourages Young Women to Explore STEM at CHC
Publish Date: April 1, 2021
Faculty senate president and mathematics co-chair Brandi Bailes spoke to approximately
800 eighth-grade girls from Redlands Unified School District and encouraged them to
pursue a career in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) beginning with
a program at 海角直播. The online event, held on March 5 and March 12,
was hosted by the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Event organizers
asked Bailes to share her own experience as a STEM professional, provide an overview
about the opportunities for STEM students at 海角直播, and ultimately encourage the
young ladies to pursue an education and career in these traditionally male-dominated
fields.
Bailes spoke candidly to the group explaining how female role models played an important role in her confidence as a student at 海角直播. 鈥淚 was terrified. But I had female instructors that really took me under their wing and said, you know it doesn鈥檛 matter where you start, you can go anywhere you want,鈥� Bailes recalled. She credits the inspiration received from her female instructors with her success in graduating from 海角直播, transferring to Cal Poly Pomona and earning bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in applied mathematics.
Bailes highlighted the opportunities for the women if they attend 海角直播, explaining that 鈥淲e鈥檝e moved forward to help bring equity into STEM, and we鈥檝e created an entire STEM center which allows you to explore without having to know where to start.鈥� She also pointed out the support for STEM students in the classroom through embedded tutoring. 鈥淲e鈥檝e put tutors directly in the classroom, so that if you do struggle in a class, it does not become a roadblock,鈥� said Bailes, explaining how the tutors attend each class with the students and are then able to help students understand course concepts and methods.Bailes explained how the College鈥檚 small size allows for collaboration amongst STEM faculty and programs. 鈥淲e have a small college so we鈥檙e able to build classes together. Your math instructor talks to your biology instructor, who talks to your chemistry instructor. We have a community already built up and we鈥檙e inviting you to become part of that community,鈥� emphasized Bailes.
