According to global statistics, women make up less than 40 percent of the people employed in the STEM/IT sector worldwide. This week we feature 16-year-old Lenisha McAlmont, a fifth-form science student at the Bushlot Secondary, West Coast of Berbice. She is aiming to defy the status quo and inspire girls to either take up STEM-based careers or participate in STEM-based groups/activities.
According to the American Association of University Women, women and girls in STEM are often systematically tracked away from science and maths throughout their education, limiting their access, preparation and opportunities to go into these fields as adults.
Women make up only 28% of the workforce in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), and men vastly outnumber women majoring in most STEM fields in college. The gender gaps are particularly high in some of the fastest-growing and highest-paid jobs of the future, like computer science and engineering.
She was born on 14th September 2006 to the late Wendy Anderson.
McAlmont attended the Lichfield Primary and was awarded a spot at the Bushlot Secondary school, after writing the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).
She hails from Pln. Belle Vue, and has been a founding member of the Lichfield STEM club – one of STEMGuyana’s STEM clubs in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice).
There McAlmont (alongside her teammates) copped a silver medal in STEMGuyana’s national robotics league in 2019 and in 2021 & 2022, 2 bronze medals for her participation in the International Youth Robotics Club (IYRC).
In the future, Lenisha aims to become a Physical Education teacher, where she will be able to nurture the minds of the younger generation.
“I manage the club and school pretty well. At first I felt weird and scared around all those boys, but now I know that we’re all equal and I’m no longer afraid,” said Lenisha when asked how she manages school and the club.
“Ignore the negativity.. Break the barriers and stereotypes. Show them that we are all equal and whatever boys can do, us girls can do as well,” is McAlmont’s advice to girls.
She also encourages girls to join a STEM or tech club, and learn to code.
It was Morgan Harper Nichols, who said, “Tell the story of the mountain you climb. Your words could become a page in someone else’s survival guide.” Lenisha hopes that by sharing her story, another girl is inspired and will take up a career in STEM.
Thus far, on her journey, she has met and interacted with many persons who have helped to shape her into the person she is today.
‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ is a scripture from the Bible that keeps Lenisha grounded.
In the future, she aspires to become a coach at STEMGuyana, or even create her own STEM/tech-related NGO, where she can share her knowledge and experience with other girls and youths and further her studies.
