STEPS

Why is STEPS Important?

STEPS is a national initiative. Women make up approximately half of the population and about 46% of the labor force in all occupations, but only 10% of engineers! STEPS is a hands-on technology-based program that gives girls exposure to manufacturing and technical careers. The STEPS program is held early enough (7th grade) to influence a student's choice of the math, science, and technical courses they will take in middle and high school. These courses help prepare them to enter and succeed in college-level engineering programs.

Science, Technology and Engineering Preview Summer Camp for Girls (STEPS) was initiated at the University of Wisconsin-Stout and has been replicated in Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, and South Dakota as residential or day camps for girls. STEPS camps are tuition-free, and participants enjoy a full range of recreational, developmental, and technical experiences. The Society of Manufacturing Engineers Educational Foundation plans to extend the program to 11 states, reaching over 36,000 girls!