Abstract
Purpose: The barriers generally facing women wishing to pursue careers in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) in the United States have been well described. However, additional layers of cultural beliefs and needs may pose further obstructions to women in certain cultural subgroups who wish to enter STEMM. Recognition of the challenges faced by such subgroups is important and culturally sensitive educational and training approaches may be necessary.Methods: We therefore created a science mentoring and education program incorporating the specific requirements of our test group, young Orthodox Jewish women. Our goals were to facilitate their knowledge, skills, and attitudes to embark on a scientific career in biomedicine. Interventions were designed to target physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual areas of growth with each intervention crafted to the sensitivity of the women's cultural and religious backgrounds.Results: Over the course of 6 years, we enrolled 59 Orthodox Jewish women, ages 16–20 years. These women spent their summers as part of the larger Summer Internship Program (SIP) at the National Institutes of Health. They participated in cohort sizes ranging from 6 to 26 in dozens of multilevel experiences in the SIP over 6–10 weeks. Participants reported strengthening interest to pursue careers in health care-related fields. Other graduates committed to pursue careers in the general sciences, and other graduate studies.Conclusion: This unique educational platform shows promise for other intersectional groups approaching educational barriers to careers in STEMM.
Highlights
The reality of gender bias in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) is an increasingly popular topic, both in its influence on admission of women into these fields of study and their ability to succeed within them
We present here the educational and cultural parameters entertained to affect a positive outcome in STEMM of this underrepresented population and ‘‘hidden diversity.’’10
Group chats We propose that a unique element critical to the success of the Orthodox Jewish Women’s Support Group (OJW)/NIH experience, both in the 1st-year program and Summer Internship Program (SIP) internships, was scheduled weekly group discussions, known as ‘‘chats.’’ At the chats, any issue could be addressed, and feedback garnered relating to the past week’s events
Summary
The reality of gender bias in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) is an increasingly popular topic, both in its influence on admission of women into these fields of study and their ability to succeed within them. The OJW drew its cadre from Orthodox Jewish women’s schools and provided mentored support for the selected students to experience first-hand biomedical research and health care By these means, we sought to provide these women exposure and increased awareness of all facets of STEMM careers, while maintaining their religious identities. The OJW aimed to provide the interns deeper insight and experience into a career in biomedicine, through research benchwork and clinical shadowing; here we coupled the mentored pathway with the SIP These subsequent internships maintained active participation with the OJW, the women had day-to-day responsibilities to their respective laboratories gaining additional training in oncological, genetic, and biology research methodologies, and had the opportunity to present their research projects during the SIP Poster Day at the culmination of summer. The chats enabled all participants in the OJW to deal actively with and prepare for the historical, cultural, and practical challenges for Orthodox Jewish women involved in STEMM fields
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
