About FabFems
The FabFems directory is an international database of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals who are inspiring role models for young women. The FabFems directory is accessible to young women, girl-serving STEM programs, and other organizations that are working to increase career awareness and interest in STEM.
Responding to national data concerning the lack of women in science and engineering, the National Girls Collaborative Project is leveraging their collaborative network, industry partners, professional organizations, and institutions of higher education to host FabFems. Our website serves as a directory of women in STEM fields, highlighting personal stories and career pathways. Through positive role model interaction and increased interest in collaborative STEM projects, FabFems intends to broaden the participation of women in the STEM and to increase the retention of women in STEM fields and careers. FabFems is designed to facilitate the important connection between young women and women STEM professionals during critical transition points in the career pathway.
Women continue to be underrepresented in STEM fields at the college and workforce level (National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, 2021). The greatest gender disparities across the STEM workforce occur in the fields of computer sciences, engineering, and physical sciences (National Science Board, 2022). The intersectionality of gender, race, and ethnicity produce compounding barriers to STEM for women of color. While Black, Latina, and Indigenous women make up approximately 17% of the U.S. population (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020), they earn 14% of the bachelor’s degrees in STEM fields and represent less than 10% of the STEM workforce (National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, 2021). Engagement with diverse and approachable role models (women in STEM who see their work as rewarding, relevant, and enjoyable), can shift girls’ perceptions about who belongs in STEM, increase their identification with STEM, and their awareness of and interest in STEM careers. Using the extensive network of the National Girls Collaborative Project, FabFems provides a directory of accessible women STEM professionals for young women and girl-serving STEM organizations. These FabFems exemplify the pathway to STEM and are available to interact with youth and educators through STEM activities, speaker engagements, field trips and more.
Funding for the FabFems project is provided by the Motorola Solutions Foundation and the National Science Foundation.