Science Chicks

Floor Speech

Ms. DUCKWORTH. Mr. Speaker, the Science Chicks, a new club in Mount Prospect, Illinois, represents the future of our country.

These 24 middle school girls built their remote operating vehicle and equipped it with motors and an underwater camera. They did all the electrical wiring themselves from scratch. At a competition at the University of Illinois, their submersible vehicle picked up items from the bottom of the pool's floor.

These girls represent millions around the country that have the ability to achieve greatness in the STEM fields. It is now our job to support them.

When I was in flight school learning to become a helicopter pilot, all the flight instructors asked me to please try to find more women to join the Army flight school. They said that women made excellent natural pilots, but that they were less likely to even come forward and apply to the flight training program than their male peers.

I wonder how many girls around the country could achieve great things in math, science, or even flight school, but are simply unaware of the opportunities that are out there for them. We need to make sure that our public schools have the resources to invest in STEM education and that girls are encouraged to reach their full potential.

This is not only about empowering our daughters, but building the future of our economy and strengthening American competitiveness abroad. STEM education is crucial to providing good jobs for future generations and allowing our businesses to succeed.

Mr. Speaker, let's follow the example of the Science Chicks and support STEM education throughout this country.

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