Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics explained

oSTEM, Inc.
Formation:2005
Full Name:Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, Incorporated
Founder:Eric Patridge, PhD
Type:Nonprofit
Area Served:International
Headquarters:Michigan, USA
Leader Title:Executive Director and CEO
Leader Name:Lilian Martinez
Leader Title2:President
Leader Name2:Matthew Welmers
Subsidiaries:Queer in AI
Num Staff:3
Volunteers:90
Website:https://www.ostem.org/

Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, Inc., abbreviated oSTEM, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional society dedicated to LGBTQ+ individuals within the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) community.

History

In October of 2005. IBM sponsored a focus group where students from across the United States convened at the Human Rights Campaign headquarters in Washington, D.C. These students discussed topics relevant to LGBTQ+ communities at their colleges and universities. They debated how to structure an organization that serves students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.[1]

Founded in 2009, the organization was granted 501(c)(3) status in 2010. oSTEM currently consists of more than 100 chapters across the United States and the United Kingdom.

Mission

oSTEM strives to identify, address, and advocate for the needs of LGBTQ+ students and professionals within the STEM fields. oSTEM fulfills these needs by providing networking opportunities, mentorship connections, strategic collaborations, and professional/leadership development, as well as an annual global conference.[2] [3]

Activities

Conferences

oSTEM hosts annual conferences[4] [5] that discuss LGBTQ+ topics in STEM as well as intelligence fields.[6] Topics discussed include inclusion, outreach, and diversity within the workplace.[7] [8] The goal of workshops, talks, and networking events for LGBTQ+ people is to help them integrate and move up in their fields.[9] The fourth annual conference was hosted jointly with the National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals' Out to Innovate in Atlanta in 2014.[10]

LGBT STEM Day

On July 5, 2018, oSTEM along with Pride in STEM,[11] House of STEM,[12] and InterEngineering[13] created international awareness for LGBTQ+ people in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.[14]

Awards

oSTEM presents a variety of awards annually to individuals and organizations that demonstrate a strong dedication to advancing and empowering LGBTQ+ in STEM fields.[15]

oSTEM Volunteer of the Year Award

According to the oSTEM website, "This award recognizes volunteers who have gone above and beyond to bring oSTEM to new heights in the last year. The Executive Board recognizes volunteers who have demonstrated their drive to achieve great things and push our organization to grow. In the past, awardees have been recognized for creating our scholarship program, spearheading the pivot to an online format for our cornerstone event during COVID, cultivating and expanding institutional support for professional members and collegiate members, and stepping into leadership roles with grace and professionalism. oSTEM is powered by the hard work and commitment of our volunteers."[16]

Previous awardees include:

oSTEM Global STEM Service Award

The oSTEM Global STEM Service Award is given to present and past oSTEM members who show strong dedication to inclusion, diversity, and equality for LGBTQ+ and other marginalized individuals in STEM fields.[17]

Awardees are:

oSTEM Strategic Alliance Award

The oSTEM Strategic Alliance Award is presented to a current sponsoring organization, community partner, or grant provider of oSTEM who demonstrates strong dedication, engagement, and support to oSTEM and its values.

Awardees are:

oSTEM Partner Excellence Award

The oSTEM Partner Excellence Award is presented to individuals associated with oSTEM accomplished in their much academic or professional lives who regularly advocate for the full inclusion of people of all marginalized identities.

Awardees are:

Overall Student Chapter of the Year

The Overall Student Chapter of the Year is given to oSTEM chapters that educate, empower, and engage a diverse community. These chapters contrihelp a lot with finding LGBTQ students in the STEM community, helping them, and speaking up for themselves are:

Rookie Student Chapter of the Year

The Rookie Student Chapter of the Year celebrates achievements by oSTEM chapters that have been founded within two years of application submission.

Awardees are:

Chapters

There are over 100 chapters affiliated with the parent organization. Chapters are organized into six geographic regions (A–F) and a region that encompasses all chapters dedicated specifically to graduate students.

Student Chapters

The six regions are:

Professional Chapters

The first professional chapter is currently being tested in the Boston metropolitan area. In 2020, there was a shift to a virtual professional chapter with members in the United States and United Kingdom, with a number of smaller in-person events occurring in those two regions.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: A Look at oSTEM: Out as LGBT+ in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. . 2018-02-20 . 2018-02-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180222225537/http://www.redbrick.me/tech/look-ostem-lgbt-science-technology-engineering-mathematics/ . dead .
  2. Web site: New UC San Diego Chapter Sends LGBT+ Delegates to OSTEM Conference . 2018-02-20.
  3. Web site: About OSTEM . 2018-02-20.
  4. Web site: National Conference Discusses Being Out in STEM . 2018-02-20.
  5. Web site: LGBTQ-Focused OSTEM Holds Seventh Annual Conference . 14 December 2017 . 2018-02-20.
  6. Web site: CIA Serves as Corporate Sponsor for National LGBT Conference . https://web.archive.org/web/20130219200759/https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2012-featured-story-archive/cia-at-lgbt-conference.html. dead. February 19, 2013. 2018-02-20.
  7. Web site: FAU Student Speaks on Overcoming Adversity at 2015 National oSTEM Conference . 2018-09-24.
  8. Web site: New UC San Diego Chapter Sends LGBT+ Delegates to OSTEM Conference . 2018-02-20.
  9. Web site: UNL student creates oSTEM chapter to focus on LGBTQ community in STEM fields . 29 September 2017 . 2018-02-20.
  10. Web site: oSTEM and NOGLSTP joint meeting. 2018-09-24.
  11. Web site: PRIDE IN STEM, A charitable trust for LGBT+ in Science, Engineering, Tech, and Maths. 2018-09-24.
  12. Web site: HOUSE of STEM, A network of LGBTQ+ scientists in Ireland. 2018-09-24.
  13. Web site: InterEngineering, Connecting, Informing and Empowering LGBT+ engineers and supporters. 2018-09-24.
  14. Web site: THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL DAY OF LGBTQ+ PEOPLE IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHS; JULY 5TH, 2018. 2018-09-24.
  15. Web site: oSTEM Annual Awards . 2018-02-20.
  16. Web site: Awards - 14th Annual oSTEM Conference . 2024-05-31 . conference.ostem.org.
  17. Web site: Coming out and standing up for others . 20 November 2017 . 2018-02-20.
  18. Web site: Steve Riley named 2017 oSTEM Partner Excellence award winner . 2018-09-24.