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 1,872 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
1:48
Police: Man pulled from Ossining house fire dies at hospital

Police: Man pulled from Ossining house fire dies at hospital

2:16
STORM WATCH: Showers, isolated thunderstorms during Wednesday morning commute

STORM WATCH: Showers, isolated thunderstorms during Wednesday morning commute

1:08
Hospital workers picket over Westchester Medical Center Health Network layoffs

Hospital workers picket over Westchester Medical Center Health Network layoffs

1:00
5 puppies rescued from sealed shipping container on I-84 in Brewster

5 puppies rescued from sealed shipping container on I-84 in Brewster

1:13
Poughkeepsie council weighs opting into rent stabilization under Emergency Tenant Protection Act

Poughkeepsie council weighs opting into rent stabilization under Emergency Tenant Protection Act

1:58
Officials mull traffic safety projects following 5th child struck by car in 5 months in Rockland neighborhood

Officials mull traffic safety projects following 5th child struck by car in 5 months in Rockland neighborhood

0:36
Reports: Body of missing Army National Guard sergeant found

Reports: Body of missing Army National Guard sergeant found

0:25
Pine Bush man pleads guilty to aggravated vehicular assault that left teen paralyzed

Pine Bush man pleads guilty to aggravated vehicular assault that left teen paralyzed

0:39
Westchester County Health Department to inspect 235 children’s camps ahead of summer

Westchester County Health Department to inspect 235 children’s camps ahead of summer

0:24
Mount Vernon launches new grant program for small businesses

Mount Vernon launches new grant program for small businesses

0:39
 ‘Melanie’s Law’ passes state Senate, heads for final approval

‘Melanie’s Law’ passes state Senate, heads for final approval

0:29
Attorney General James sues local clinics for abortion-reversal claims

Attorney General James sues local clinics for abortion-reversal claims

0:20
East Ramapo parents rally for school reform

East Ramapo parents rally for school reform

1:56
Ceremony held to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day in White Plains

Ceremony held to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day in White Plains

1:42
24-year-old double organ transplant recipient hosts blood drive in Pomona

24-year-old double organ transplant recipient hosts blood drive in Pomona

1:49
SUNY Purchase faculty and students want disciplinary action against protesters dropped

SUNY Purchase faculty and students want disciplinary action against protesters dropped

0:50
Orange County cracks down on drivers who illegally pass school buses with cameras

Orange County cracks down on drivers who illegally pass school buses with cameras

1:36
‘Very best’ of PD: City of Newburgh promotes longtime lieutenant to chief

‘Very best’ of PD: City of Newburgh promotes longtime lieutenant to chief

0:23
State police work to ID body that washed ashore in Poughkeepsie

State police work to ID body that washed ashore in Poughkeepsie

1:01
Tuckahoe Village Board hears Ward House appeal

Tuckahoe Village Board hears Ward House appeal