Irvine, Calif., Aug 27, 2014 Monday’s Women With Drive Golf Outing: Setting the Course for Girls in STEM brought 68 golfers out to support efforts to engage more girls and women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.
The 9-hole tournament at Irvine’s Oak Creek Golf Club had players donning superhero capes, drinking “kryptonite,” putting on Hulk gloves, teeing off from the Silver Surfer’s surfboard and hitting golf balls with the Hammer of Thor.
The event underscored the importance of getting more girls into STEM careers. Currently, women fill nearly half of all US jobs, but less than 25% of STEM jobs. This disparity hurts both women, who earn 33% more in STEM fields than women in other fields, and the US economy, which expects to fall short by nearly 3 million STEM workers by 2018.
“MIND Research Institute has been leveling the playing field in math education for nearly two decades and we’re excited about this natural extension to supporting women and girls in math-related careers,” said John Phelan, chairman of MIND Research.
Developed by University of California researchers, MIND’s uniquely visual, non-language-based ST Math instructional software helps more than 110,000 Orange County students, and 630,000 students nationally, deeply understand math and become life-long learners prepared for success.
This was MIND Research’s first-ever charity golf event, and its first official launch into supporting girls in STEM. The organization is collaborating with Girls Inc. and Million Women Mentors on ways to encourage more girls at an early age to pursue STEM fields academically and in the workforce.
“There was so much positive energy and fun at the Women with Drive Golf Outing,” said Ingrid Ellerbe, Chief of Staff at MIND Research. “We are ready and eager to make a difference for girls in school and to have that momentum translate to women the workplace.”
Chevron was recognized as MIND Research’s first Corporate Superhero for their long-time support of the organization. With giving totaling nearly one million, Chevron has supported MIND Research since 1998.
At least some serious golfing took place on the course, with the Capital Group foursome winning the tournament.
After the 9-hole tournament, guests celebrated and supported the cause through a silent auction featuring a South Coast Plaza gift card, jewelry, wines, overnight stays at the Island Hotel and Pelican Hill, and an autographed hockey stick, baseball and a soccer ball.
Proceeds from the Women with Drive Golf Outing support MIND Research Institute’s efforts to promote girls’ involvement in STEM. The event is sponsored by OC Register, John Phelan/Capital Group, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Jim and Gail Daniels and Southland Golf. Learn more: www.mindresearch.org/golfouting. For photos, visit MIND Research's facebook page.
About MIND Research Institute
MIND Research Institute is an education nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that all students are mathematically equipped to solve the world’s most challenging problems. MIND's distinctive visual approach to math and problem-solving is the basis of its innovative, research-proven ST Math® programs for elementary and secondary schools. MIND's programs currently reach over 630,000 students and 25,000 teachers in 2,050 schools in 35 states. For more information, visit www.mindresearch.org.
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