Building a Lifelong Journey for Girls in STEM
In today's ever-evolving technological landscape, the importance of diversity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics cannot be overstated. A recent study by the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) revealed that middle school boys are once again outpacing girls in math and science—reversing years of hard-won progress toward gender equity in STEM. At Visitation Academy, that national story isn’t our story. We encourage our girls to embark on a lifelong journey in STEM fields. And what is the first step to doing this? Start early and foster the journey with the right tools, resources, and encouragement.
Breaking Barriers: Viz Girls Making Waves in STEM
STEM education at Viz starts with excitement and curiosity. In the Montessori and Lower School, learners explore science and engineering through hands-on experiences in our Owl’s Nest outdoor STEM lab, a space where inquisitiveness flourishes—often without shoes, frequently with dirty hands, and always with joy. Whether it’s first graders embarking on their first interdisciplinary field trip to a working farm or third graders initiating entrepreneurship projects that blend design with mathematics, our girls are active participants in their education. They are creators, innovators, and problem-solvers.
By fifth grade, they have applied the engineering design process to construct a 3D model using a fully programmed Hummingbird robotics controller, spent extensive time in the Food Science Kitchen working on projects that enhance the curriculum, utilized a laser cutter for assignments in art and STEM subjects, led reflections on faith related to the values of inquiry and perseverance, and experienced science at Shaw Nature Reserve. Every lesson—whether in mathematics or religion—is grounded in both intellect and emotion.
Many girls across the country begin to step back from STEM during middle school. At Viz, however, this is the moment they engage more deeply. Our single-gender environment eliminates distractions and social pressures, empowering students to take charge, confront real-world issues, and collaborate with industry professionals. Whether working side-by-side with architects on a cross-disciplinary project addressing real-world design challenges, coding, constructing, and competing in robotics—with girls taking the lead in both technical and creative roles—or integrating global education to investigate science, faith, and cultural identity through virtual exchanges with peers in the UK, Viz consistently demonstrates that gender-normative instruction has no place. We challenge our female students at all levels to see themselves as highly competent individuals.
By the time they reach Upper School, students are thriving in STEM competitions and earning accolades for their achievements. The robotics team triumphed at the FIRST St. Louis Regional, securing an inaugural World Championship opportunity, and showcased all-female captain teams. HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) members achieved top honors in family medicine and veterinary science, with two qualifying for international competition. The Viz-hosted SLU-led cybersecurity simulations saw several student teams rank among the top tiers in the national CyberPatriot competition. Additionally, Viz has received the College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for the eighth consecutive year. I also must highlight that one of Visitation’s most vibrant and engaging STEM learning environments is not a lab—it’s our theater. The technical theater program fuses STEM with the arts, offering practical applications in design, engineering, and technology.
The Power of Place and Purpose
What makes Viz different is not just what we teach but how we teach it. In a school where students write their own math curricula, design their own products, and compete on global stages, STEM is not a buzzword—it’s a living language of courage, creativity, and connection. Our girls aren’t being left behind. They’re forging ahead—and taking the stage, lab, and circuit board with them.
Visitation Academy is an independent, private Catholic school offering a coeducational Montessori preschool and Kindergarten program, the area's only all-girl elementary program for Grades 1-5, and an all-girl middle school and all-girl high school.
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