Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden
(D-Ore.) today proposed a major initiative to triple the number of
American women and earning degrees and working in the areas of math
and the hard sciences. Wyden, who chairs the Senate Subcommittee on
Science, Technology and Space, called today's hearing on educational
initiatives at NASA the "first in a series" of hearings to find new
paths for and to encourage women who wish to enter math, science and
technology fields.
"Studies indicate that young girls show as much or more interest
in math and science as boys in elementary school, but that interest
fades in junior high school," said Wyden. "Something must be done
to foster, not frustrate, girls' interest in math and science and
encourage them to pursue degrees and careers in these fields."
Math, science and technology professions are suffering from a
shortage of skilled workers. At a time of mass retirements, fewer
and fewer students are earning degrees in these fields, and the
percentage of women doing so is very small.
Statistics reveal that just 70,000 women are among the 1.2 million
recent college graduates with degrees in math and the hard sciences,
which excludes psychology and the social sciences. The Bureau of
Labor Statistics reports that 90 percent of the 2 million scientists
and engineers working in the United States are men. Ninety-three
percent of the country's aerospace engineers are men. But these
fields can be both rewarding and lucrative for women; labor statistics
also show women working as engineers, computer scientists, pharmacists
and lawyers have the highest median earnings of women in any professional
occupation.
Women in the sciences were featured at today's hearing. Witnesses
included astronaut Peggy Whitson, who currently lives and works
on the International Space Station and testified via videotape,
along with NASA educator Peggy Steffen and nuclear engineering major
Marcie Whittaker of Oregon State University.
"I had an early advantage. Both of my parents were supportive
when I told them I wanted to be the first astronaut to be a judge
and a professional basketball player," said Whitaker, who is currently
working on a project for NASA's Reduced Gravity
Student Flight Opportunities Program. "I am now able to return
to my very small high school and inspire students. Those who spoke
of NASA in whispers are now sending me e-mails about how they are
going to college so they can participate in this program, too."
Wyden believes that the number of women in math and the hard sciences,
as well as overall number of math and science professionals, can
and should be significantly increased. He called on NASA administrator
Sean O'Keefe, also a witness at today's hearing, to help achieve
that goal. Wyden's suggestions for NASA included the appointment
of a coordinator for women's programs, the provision of more scholarships
for women, and the formation of more partnerships with women's organizations.
"The obstacles for women pursuing careers in math and the hard
sciences are found throughout our society. The space program alone
cannot solve this problem problem," said Wyden. "But NASA, with
the launch of its major new education initiative, can use this program
as a trampoline to land more women in these academic disciplines
and in rewarding careers."
Administrator O'Keefe recently has renewed NASA's focus on education.
One third of NASA's work force will become eligible for retirement
in the next three to five years. O'Keefe formed an internal task
force to examine the agency's current educational initiatives, its
best practices, and ways the agency's efforts could be improved.
He has asked task force members to explore ways to reach more students,
particularly women and minorities, and inspire them to pursue futures
in math, science and engineering.
Wyden's next hearing in this series, entitled "Women and Technology,"
is planned for next month.
