North celebrated Women in STEM Day, Thursday, March 6, with a series of presentations held during b and e-blocks in the Little theater, highlighting women’s contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 

Organized by the Women in STEM and Girls Who Code clubs, events also featured student panelists from Girls in AI club, STEM Mentors, and Exploring Neuroscience club.

Women in STEM themed games of Family Feud individual trivia were held during b-block, followed by a presentation showcasing the contributions of historical women scientists, a kahoot, and a student-led panel during e-block. 

According to junior Kristin Kim, club officer of the Exploring Neuroscience club and member of the Girls in AI club, the presentations emphasized women’s capability to make scientific discoveries and advancements, despite the outdated idea that they are not capable of such things. 

“In general, women are given less opportunities,” said Kim. “We have to spread awareness so that everyone can have these opportunities to achieve more and succeed.”

According to senior Caitlin Riordan, club officer of the Girls who Code and Women in STEM clubs, Women in STEM day aimed to address the gender gap and recognize the women in STEM fields. 

“Sometimes STEM fields feel really unapproachable, especially for women because when we take classes and mainly STEM electives at North, the gender ratio is far from even. It can feel really isolating,” said Riordan. 

Similarly, participating in Women in STEM day was important for Kim to appreciate the history of women in STEM and encourage new generations to pursue STEM fields. 

“There were people like Marie Curie, Ada Lovelace, all kinds of famous women scientists,” said Kim.

Riordan added that planning for Women in STEM day began far in advance and required outreach to other STEM clubs.  

The event ended with five student panelists–junior Emily Chen, Kim, sophomore Orla Carey, freshman Amelia Kessler, and freshman Alyssa Yasuhara–from various clubs were asked questions about their experiences as women in STEM.

According to science teacher Sangeet Srikanth, club advisor, the club officers and club members planned Women in STEM day entirely by themselves. 

“They have been coordinating and connecting with different people in the building, outside the building to get all of the things in place,” said Srikanth, “I think Emily (Riordan) runs the club entirely so well that I really have not much to do or plan.”