American Heart Association’s STEM Goes Red for Girls Event Returns on Friday, October 22, 2021

Now in its 5th year, program inspires middle and high school girls to follow their dreams of becoming next generation to lead in STEM fields - 19 News Anchor Tiffani Tucker to Emcee for 2nd year

CLEVELAND – August 23, 2021 – STEM Goes Red for Girls, the Cleveland American Heart Association’s catalytic program for 7th-9th grade girls passionate about pursuing careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields, will return as an in-person event held at Cleveland State University on Friday, October 22, 2021.

Says AHA Executive Director Valerie Hillow Gates: “This is such a significant event for us - the AHA’s Go Red for Women movement recognizes that women are grossly underrepresented in STEM fields across the board, and with STEM Goes Red for Girls, we are actively seeking to remedy that situation.”

Adds 2021 STEM Goes Red for Women Chair Nicole Ponstingle of Pandata: “The time is now to empower the next generation of brilliant female leaders and innovators by providing pathways for future careers in STEM fields while simultaneously equipping these students with tools to be healthy and strong.”

“These girls are an inspiration,” says 19 News Anchor Tiffani Tucker, who will once again emcee the event. “I am honored to be a part of their journeys in STEM. On this action- packed, interactive day, we learn, we have fun, and the girls take bold steps to embrace their futures.”

Since its inception in 2017, STEM Goes Red for Girls has inspired 561 girls from 44 schools across Northeast Ohio. They have observed heart dissections, learned Hands-Only CPR, built their own heart-healthy websites, performed science experiments, and learned how to engineer their success. STEM Goes Red features a day-long event intended to inspire an extraordinary group of local middle to high school girls to explore STEM outside the classroom while also learning how to take charge of their health and wellbeing. STEM Goes Red blends the AHA’s STEM roots with our community footprint by providing students and educators the chance to come together and experience the exciting world of STEM, learn from local female professionals, make memorable connections with others, and meet career mentors passionate about stewarding tomorrow’s leaders, today.

Safety is a top concern for the American Heart Association. Protocols are being implemented with the CDC’s latest recommendations in mind.

Companies and schools looking to get involved with STEM Goes Red for Girls may contact Senior Go Red for Women Director Julie Gotschall, julie.gotschall@heart.org or 216-619-5159.

Background

The American Heart Association’s (AHA) signature women’s initiative, Go Red for Women (GRFW), is a comprehensive platform designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally. As cardiovascular disease continues to be the number one killer of women, ensuring more women are at the forefront of developing science, technology, education, and math (STEM) solutions has never been more imperative. STEM is our future and as a science-based health non-profit, STEM is at the heart of who we are and what we do.

America's STEM workforce is at the forefront for ideation, patent creation, science and research, and innovation that is vital to today’s economy and tomorrow’s future. From the chemistry of cosmetics to the technology of e-commerce; from the way we communicate to the way we consume information and so much more – our daily lives are built on a STEM foundation. Unfortunately, a troubling gender gap exists in STEM, from the lack of women pursuing STEM-related degrees to the number of women in STEM careers. Opportunities are lacking for too many bright young women of diverse backgrounds. The AHA is working to close these opportunity gaps through STEM Goes Red.

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