There are moments in every student’s life when they feel the call of leadership. For Jasmin Linares, that moment came during her junior year when it was time to sign up for school clubs.
“I decided, you know what? I’m just going to start my own club,” said Jasmin, a current senior at KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate. So, she followed all the steps: get the approved form, find a staff member to be the club’s advisor, and start advertising. With the help of some now-graduated classmates, Jasmin—who was a junior at the time—started the Women in STEM Club.
Jasmin worked alongside faculty advisor Dr. Rockwell to ensure that the Women in STEM Club provided a safe space for female students at KALC interested in all aspects of STEM. Initially, the club merged with female students from the Engineering Club to form a small but mighty group that could start giving a voice to underrepresented students—specifically, young women passionate about STEM.
And that group—females interested in STEM—is underrepresented across the board. In 2023, it was reported that only 27% of graduating females nationwide expressed interest in STEM-related fields. In the workforce, only 34% of STEM jobs are held by women.
That’s not holding Jasmin or any of her Women in STEM clubmates back, though. Most recently, the Women in STEM Club served as the student sponsor of KIPP Massachusetts’ annual STEM Fair. Even though the club is less than two years old, it’s already gaining popularity among the female students at KALC.
“I basically begged my advisor to be in that club,” shares current KIPP sophomore Ivana De Leon. “Wait, really?” Jasmin asks. “I didn’t know that!”
The two share a heartwarming laugh and smile across the table, and added “that’s what the club is all about!”
Ivana joined the club and is now eagerly looking forward to carrying on the legacy that’s been created.
“It’s always just so nice to be able to talk to different people,” Ivana shares.
That seems to be the heart of the Women in STEM Club: connection. More than once, both Jasmin and Ivana emphasized that the most important thing for them as young women is to be in a space with other like-minded women who are passionate about the same things. While the club has done some impressive labs—like making slime, conducting an egg drop, creating their own bouncy balls, and even experimenting with chemiluminescence (you can check out the full roster of projects on their student-run Instagram account!)—they’ve also dipped their toes into advocacy work.
After one lab where they tested bacteria around the school campus, they discovered that the highest-touch surfaces—think bathrooms, handrails, and doorknobs—were spotless.
“We sent a thank-you letter to the custodian team here,” Jasmin says. “The school surfaces were spotless. Our phones, not so much.”
When Ivana and Jasmin talk about the Women in STEM Club, it’s clear that the young women in the group truly enjoy each other’s company and genuinely respect one another. When asked about competing against each other in the recent STEM Fair, they both echoed the same sentiment: “A win for one is a win for all.” And while Jasmin will be graduating in June, she’s confident that the club will continue to grow and leave a lasting impact on the school community.
With only two club meetings left before the seniors graduate, Jasmin got noticeably emotional.
“I’ve been at KIPP since 5th grade, and the support I got when I started the club was just so heartwarming. I can’t believe it’s over! Well, I’ll definitely come back and visit.”
The Women in STEM Club meets every Friday during club time. Be sure to check out their Instagram page to stay up-to-date on all their labs and field trips!
