April 24, 2026
Dr. Lizdelia Piñon and Dr. Stephanie Garcia examine why women and girls remain underrepresented in STEM, highlighting how access, culture and policy shape pathways. They also share practical solutions to expand opportunities and strengthen STEM ecosystems.
Key takeaways
- Women and girls remain underrepresented in STEM, not due to ability but systemic barriers.
- Access, culture and confidence shape STEM participation and persistence for girls.
- Anti-diversity, equity and inclusion policies are reducing programs that support STEM pathways.
- Mentorship, hands-on learning and cross-sector partnerships strengthen STEM opportunities.
- Effective STEM ecosystems offer multiple entry points for students to explore and re-engage.
Resource from the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA), a nonprofit advancing education equity.
Why are women and girls still underrepresented in STEM? In this episode, Lizdelia Piñón, Ed.D., talks with Stephanie Garcia, Ph.D., about what the latest data reveal, including in a new report by the National Girls Collaborative Project.
Drawing from recent research and her own experience as a Latina STEM educator, Dr. Garcia explains why the issue is not about ability but about systems.
Dr. Piñon and Dr. Garcia discuss how access, culture and confidence shape who participates and persists in STEM, and how recent anti-diversity, equity and inclusion policies are dismantling critical support programs.
The conversation moves beyond the problem to practical solutions: mentorship, hands-on learning and cross-sector partnerships that create real pathways for students. Together, they reimagine what a strong STEM ecosystem can look like – one with multiple entry points where all students can see themselves and succeed.
Dr. Stephanie Garcia is IDRA’s STEM education specialist and directs the IDRA VisionCoders and DSEC programs. Dr. Lizdelia Piñon is an IDRA education associate and a bilingual special education expert.
“Talent is evenly distributed, but opportunity isn’t.” – Dr. Stephanie Garcia
“I don’t see it as a leaky pipeline. That’s a deficit way of looking at it… A really healthy ecosystem looks like a river, or a highway system, with multiple entry and exit points, where students – no matter their age or grade – can jump in, explore and come back to it again later. There’s not a one-size-fits-all approach with STEM education.” – Dr. Stephanie Garcia
“What chilling effect is coming next? Where is the university going to silence me?” – Alex De Jesus
“It’s going to be exhausting, but this is a long-term movement. It’s not a moment. We have to keep on fighting. It didn’t start here. It doesn’t end here.” – Sameeha Rizvi
Resources
Changing the State of Girls in STEM Through Access, Culture and Confidence, by Stephanie Garcia, Ph.D.
The State of Women & Girls in STEM Report, by National Girls Collaborative Project
STEM Equity – Online Technical Assistance Toolkit, IDRA
Student Engagement – Online Technical Assistance Toolkit, IDRA
Building an Ecosystem for Latina Prosperity. Latinitas Conversando podcast featuring Stephanie Garcia, Gabriela Kane Guardia, Johanna Moya Fábregas & Jaime Puente. South by Southwest Edu
STEM Ecosystems Foster Community Engagement for a Strong Future – Partner with a STEM Learning Ecosystem Near You!, August 31, 2022
Meaningful Strategies for Making STEM Accessible, October 30, 2020
Five Best Practices that Add Women to the Equation – Preparing K-12 Girls for Mathematics, May 29, 2019
Show length: 16:35 min.
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