STEM and STEAM

STEM and STEAM are acronyms that have been around for a while now. What do they actually mean?

STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. STEAM includes the addition of Art.

Speech-Language Pathology, my current profession, is considered a STEM profession. The demographics include 95% women and 5% men. There are many women who provide direct treatment for people with many different conditions.

I studied physics, anatomy, physiology, and neurology while earning my Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy.

I currently use science and art every day to help my preschoolers learn how to develop verbal and sign language, use technology, and use art to communicate their wants and needs.

I have spent the past 25 years learning about Augmentative and Alternative Communication systems, which always include some type of technology, such as computers, switches, and tablets, and art, such as pictures that represent objects. Technically, Speech-Language Pathology is a STEAM profession that many people don’t know exists.

I recently attended CSW70 at the United Nations in New York City. There were many women and men in attendance from all walks of life. There were many women who have started their own businesses using technology, taken over family farms, and worked within different areas of the world.

There is a need for more women in STEM and STEAM professions, specifically in research for physical and mental well-being. There is currently a need for more research on how medications, stress, and other factors impact women differently from men because we have different systems. Many evaluations and treatments are based on men and how they react to different medications, stress, and daily demands. The demands that women face in their paid and unpaid jobs are different.

There is a need for more women to be recognized, respected, and paid for their knowledge in all STEM, STEAM, and non-STEM or STEAM professions.

Technically, making dinner for a family is an unpaid STEAM profession! It takes a plan, math, and the acquisition of resources, such as grocery shopping and money; chemistry, such as mixing and measuring quantities of ingredients; thermodynamics, such as heating the ingredients; and art, such as making the meal look delicious with a variety of colors and textures. Women have been the pioneers in STEM and STEAM professions since the beginning of time!

I challenge you to evaluate your current STEM or STEAM career and find a woman you can support in her STEM or STEAM career this month and every month.

We all need a village to support us and the women and girls in the rest of our world! Let’s get this STEM/STEAM party started and improve our world together!

Happy Earth Day to all!

Dr. Joanne Carfioli Naylor
National Treasurer
2024-2026
treasurer@nfbpwc.org