The NiSource Charitable Foundation, in collaboration with Columbia Gas of Ohio, hosted its first "Introduce a Girl to STEAM" event on February 17, aimed at encouraging young girls to explore careers in science and technology. Over 300 girls from five states participated in this inaugural event.
Girls in grades 4 through 6 engaged in a series of activities at Columbia Gas's central Ohio office, which was transformed into interactive learning spaces. These activities included games, scientific demonstrations, and team-building exercises focusing on STEAM—science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
"Our goal today was to get these girls energized about STEAM at a very young age and inspire them to someday pursue a rewarding career in science, technology and engineering," stated Melody Birmingham, a board member of the NiSource Charitable Foundation and Executive Vice President & Group Utilities President for NiSource Inc.
Women account for 26 percent of STEM jobs and just 15 percent of engineering roles, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor, Women’s Bureau 2024.
"With 'Introduce a Girl to STEAM,' we are nurturing the talent needed to innovate and carry our industry forward for generations to come," highlighted Birmingham. "We want these girls to feel excited at envisioning themselves someday as engineers and leaders in technology."
Simultaneous events took place at NiSource affiliates in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Employees, including engineers, volunteered to mentor the participants through a curriculum that ranged from natural gas and electric demonstrations to instructive activities and competitions.
The Developing and Advancing Women at NiSource (DAWN) employee resource group significantly contributed to organizing the event. Also, Columbia Gas of Ohio collaborated with the Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland to engage and register participants.
"One of the NiSource Charitable Foundation’s primary goals is to make a significant impact on STEM education and workforce development in every community our utility serves," said Bob Heidorn, a Foundation board member and Columbia Gas of Ohio President. "We hope this event will serve as a catalyst for introducing girls to careers where women are otherwise underrepresented."
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