Yorktown student starts STEAM program for young girls

A hands-on workshop created by a high school student in Yorktown is helping to inspire girls in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art and math.

News 12 Staff

Mar 23, 2019, 8:45 PM

Updated 1,860 days ago

Share:

Yorktown student starts STEAM program for young girls
A hands-on workshop created by a high school student in Yorktown is helping to inspire girls in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art and math.
"The gap between women in STEAM and males in STEAM really starts in middle school when girls start to drop off and they don't really feel as confident and I really want to give girls that confidence,” says Jothi Ramaswamy, the founder of Think STEAM.
Ramaswamy, now a Senior at Lakeland High School in Yorktown, says that she made it her mission to give girls such confidence when she was just 13 years old, around the same time that she created Think STEAM, which would go on to host hands-on workshops for girls.
"I've always really been interested in STEAM and computer science and I just wanted girls to feel the same way as well,” she says.
This weekend, Jothi invited professionals stop by Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School to offer lessons with drones, slime and more.
"Girls can become empowered and can learn more about technology,” says sixth-grade attendee Isaballa.
They may have a long time before they start their careers, but some attendees already say they're thinking about STEAM.
"All I really wanted when I started this organization was even just to inspire just one girl – because I know in that way I'll affect the rest of her life and I'll inspire her, give her the confidence to pursue STEAM,” says Ramaswamy. “And if I can even do [just] that, I mean, I've done my job,”


More from News 12
2:04
Movie theater experience: A close look at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville

Movie theater experience: A close look at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville

2:21
Chilly temps in the Hudson Valley will warm up as afternoon sunshine rolls in

Chilly temps in the Hudson Valley will warm up as afternoon sunshine rolls in

1:23
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in Irvington during President Biden's visits to Westchester

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in Irvington during President Biden's visits to Westchester

0:31
Police: 18-year-old Washingtonville man with autism has gone missing

Police: 18-year-old Washingtonville man with autism has gone missing

0:23
New Korean-style fried chicken restaurant opens in Mahopac

New Korean-style fried chicken restaurant opens in Mahopac

2:16
New Rochelle teacher receives birthday surprise from students, colleagues

New Rochelle teacher receives birthday surprise from students, colleagues

0:26
Hudson Valley communities receive bronze Climate Smart Certification

Hudson Valley communities receive bronze Climate Smart Certification

0:23
Rockland County sues New York state over when elections can be held

Rockland County sues New York state over when elections can be held

0:21
Greenwood Lake Board of Trustees appoints interim mayor

Greenwood Lake Board of Trustees appoints interim mayor

0:23
Police: 18-year-old facing charges in Walden shooting

Police: 18-year-old facing charges in Walden shooting

0:48
President Biden announces future opening of upstate microchip factory

President Biden announces future opening of upstate microchip factory

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:21
Rockland County DA: Haverstraw man pleads guilty in sexual abuse of 2 children

Rockland County DA: Haverstraw man pleads guilty in sexual abuse of 2 children

0:51
Indian Point oversight board, Holtec discuss decommissioning options of former nuclear plant

Indian Point oversight board, Holtec discuss decommissioning options of former nuclear plant

0:47
State police: DNA sample from human remains found does not match profile of missing Putnam teen

State police: DNA sample from human remains found does not match profile of missing Putnam teen

0:31
New mural of Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige unveiled at Palisade Towers

New mural of Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige unveiled at Palisade Towers

0:35
Police find evidence in burglary while investigating a domestic dispute in Monroe

Police find evidence in burglary while investigating a domestic dispute in Monroe

0:30
Wake services held for the Westchester correction officer who died in Bronx River Parkway crash

Wake services held for the Westchester correction officer who died in Bronx River Parkway crash

Motorists encounter traffic delays, road closures in and around Irvington during President Joe Biden's visit

Motorists encounter traffic delays, road closures in and around Irvington during President Joe Biden's visit

1:42
Newburgh senior housing manager asks city for help protecting residents

Newburgh senior housing manager asks city for help protecting residents