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K-State Today

March 25, 2013

Thurston facilitates national action agenda for women and girls in STEM

Submitted by Patrice Scott

About 50 individuals representing national organizations and government agencies met March 13 at the National Academy of Science in Washington, D.C., to develop an action agenda for women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM. Linda P. Thurston, associate dean of the College of Education, facilitated the meeting. 

The group’s vision is the ultimate development of a highly qualified STEM workforce that recruits the talents of every student, especially those who are underrepresented in STEM fields, including women. The focus of the group, which met under the impetus of the White House Council on Women and Girls and the National Science Foundation, was collective impact.

After initial remarks from representatives from the White House and the National Academy of Science, Thurston worked with the group to produce sets of action items related to five primary themes established by the steering committee from earlier meetings. Thurston participated with the steering committee in the development of the agenda for the day, facilitated the meeting, and is working on follow-up activities with the steering committee.