Scholastic STEAM Mentors
Scholastic STEAM Mentors
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Scholastic Debuts New Collection of Books to Empower Girls in STEAM

The second collection in the Rising Voices Library® series features powerful messages from industry mentors to shatter misconceptions about girls as future leaders in science, technology, engineering, the arts and math.

Scholastic has recently announced the launch of a new book collection, “Rising Voices: Books Empowering Girls in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math)“. Above all, this new classroom library collection provides K–5 students and educators with culturally relevant and representative books paired with teaching materials. Such resources undoubtedly enrich identity development, build literacy skills and support CASEL-aligned social-emotional learning.

At this time, women represent nearly half of the U.S. workforce. However, they made up only 27 percent of those employed in science, technology, engineering and math in 20191. Furthermore, among the women who have made it into this workforce, few are women of color. “Rising Voices: Books Empowering Girls in STEAM” showcases girls and women as protagonists succeeding in a variety of STEAM fields. It celebrates inspiring stories of curiosity, creative problem-solving, leadership, collaboration, persistence and vision. With the inclusion of select titles focused on the arts, this collection recognizes artistic pursuits for the value they bring to society and for their significance in enhancing STEM efforts.

Shaping the next generation of leaders

Scholastic wants to help promote girls in STEAM in classrooms nationwide. So it has teamed up with five mentors who are powerhouses in their respective STEAM fields:

Tatyana Ali

  • Tatyana Ali is an actress, singer, producer, writer and humanitarian who has won five NAACP Image Awards. She frequently speaks at schools across the country, is actively involved in Black Girls Rock! and serves as a celebrity council advocate for the March of Dimes
  • “Our duty is to meet children where their dreams begin. Instead of asking them to ‘fall back’ into categories that make us feel comfortable, let’s share with them what it looks like to ‘rise up’ into the fullness of their being.”

Estephanie Mosquera-Ortiz

  • Estephanie Mosquera-Ortiz is an elementary school teacher and founder of Beaut&Beast Co., a lifestyle and education company. Beaut&Beast Co. aims to teach women and children self-sufficiency and awareness. 
  • “It is important to provide a safe space in which girls can see themselves as future scientists, IT experts, mathematicians and engineers of the future—not only for them to believe that they are capable, but also to facilitate a learning environment in which success is normalized.”

Ronke Olabisi, PhD

Oneeka Williams, MD

  • Oneeka Williams, MD is a Harvard-trained urologic surgeon and an award-winning author. As a Positivity Catalyst, her vision is that all girls, especially girls of color, can be inspired to dream big through the power of story and believe that they can live a life without limits. 
  • “Stories have the power to affirm, enrich, inspire and transform, and I have seen first-hand how they can provide a spark that ignites a dream.”

Duriya Aziz, PhD

  • Duriya Aziz, PhD is Senior Vice President and Publisher for Scholastic International. She has spent almost 20 years developing curriculum programs based on Singapore mathematics pedagogical principles and practices for more than 20 countries. 
  • “Readers, particularly girls and those who may be located on the margins of mainstream society, may, through these stories, find their voices, and see themselves wielding influence and agency to achieve positive outcomes in their lives and in society.”

“We’re excited to have incredible women at the helm of ‘Rising Voices: Books Empowering Girls in STEAM.’ Each mentor is a leader and embodies the values and mission at the heart of the Rising Voices Library series,” said Michael Haggen, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Scholastic Literacy Pro® & Collections, Scholastic Education Solutions. “Our goal is to elevate classroom libraries through equitable instruction and books that give context to today’s world while sparking challenging, yet important discussions. All children, regardless of background or gender, will be inspired by the achievements of our STEAM mentors and the powerful stories of tenacity and innovation within this new collection.”

STEAM books and more

The complete K–5 collection features:

  • A comprehensive teacher’s guide
  • Access to a digital resource website
  • 150 engaging, authentic texts
  • Implementation strategies
  • Discussion prompts
  • Tips for creating safe environments for difficult conversations

Above all, these resources help teachers gain tools to foster student-led learning and create a safe, inclusive classroom environment.

About the collection

“Rising Voices: Books Empowering Girls in STEAM” is the second collection in the Rising Voices Library series. The series chiefly aims to shine a spotlight on those whose contributions and potential are often overlooked. It follows the successful first collection, “Rising Voices: Books Celebrating Black and Latino Boys,” created with David C. Banks, President and CEO of the Eagle Academy Foundation.

For more information about Scholastic (NASDAQ: SCHL), the global children’s publishing, education and media company, visit the Company’s media room: http://mediaroom.scholastic.com.

1 United States Census Bureau, Women Are Nearly Half of U.S. Workforce but Only 27% of STEM Workers (January 26, 2021). https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/01/women-making-gains-in-stem-occupations-but-still-underrepresented.html.

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