ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Women make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, but hold less than a quarter of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) jobs, according to the U.S. Dept. of Commerce. Project Scientist, a nonprofit committed to exposing a diverse population of young girls to a high-quality STEM academy, seeks to close this gender gap.
Ingersoll Rand, a global diversified manufacturing company employing thousands in STEM fields, demonstrated its support for Project Scientist with a $375,000 grant for summer STEM academies in three states. An April ribbon cutting and check presentation at the newest site, Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, marked an expansion that Project Scientist Founder and CEO Sandy Marshall hopes to continue nationally.
"When STEM companies like Ingersoll Rand support early intervention programs like Project Scientist, it helps us make tremendous progress toward gender parity in the next generation of STEM professionals," said Marshall, who founded Project Scientist in 2011 when she could find no high-quality STEM programs for her daughter.
“Ingersoll Rand is committed to focusing on and supporting STEM and early education experiences. Partnering with Project Scientist to bring educators, STEM industry leaders and children together seemed like a natural fit for us. It’s a great way to foster STEM education in the young community,” commented Kevin Bollom, Vice President, North America Building Services for Trane®, a brand of Ingersoll Rand.
In addition to providing financial support, STEM companies can host expeditions in which students learn STEM skills and meet women in STEM careers. Previous expedition sites include Virgin Orbit, SpaceX, JetBlue and Trane®. "By bridging the educational and professional components of STEM fields we can show young girls they can grow up to be scientists, engineers, or anything they want," said Marshall.
Project Scientist holds summer STEM academies at universities in North Carolina, California and Minnesota. Companies interested in helping Project Scientist expand can contact Sandy Marshall, sandym@projectscientist.org.
About Project Scientist
Project Scientist is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to exposing a diverse population of young girls to a high-quality STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) academy. By igniting confidence that race and gender are never barriers to a STEM career, Project Scientist aims to originate a diverse STEM talent pool by serving over 20,000 girls by 2022. Learn more at projectscientist.org.
About Ingersoll Rand
Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) advances the quality of life by creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments. Our people and our family of brands - including Club Car®, Ingersoll Rand®, Thermo King® and Trane® - work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings; transport and protect food and perishables; and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. We are a global business committed to a world of sustainable progress and enduring results. For more information, visit ingersollrand.com.
