Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, Inc., abbreviated oSTEM, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional society dedicated to LGBTQ+ individuals within the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) community.

Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, Inc.
Formation2005
FounderEric Patridge
TypeNon-profit
Location
Area served
United States/Worldwide
President
Cortland Russell
Key people
41 (2017)
Websitehttps://www.ostem.org/

History

In October 2005, IBM sponsored a focus group where students from across the United States convened at the Human Rights Campaign headquarters in Washington D.C. These students discussed topics relevant to LGBTQA communities at their own colleges and universities, and they debated how to structure an organization that serves students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.[1]

Founded in 2009 and achieving 501(c)(3) status in 2010, oSTEM currently consists of more than 50 chapters across the United States and the United Kingdom. In 2017, oSTEM, Inc. expanded its mission to be inclusive of professionals, serving all LGBTQ people in the STEM community.

Mission

As an organization dedicated to community, oSTEM strives to stay engaged to identify, address, and advocate for the needs of LGBTQA+ students and professionals within the STEM fields. oSTEM fulfills these needs in many ways, including networking opportunities, mentorship connections, strategic collaborations and professional/leadership development, as well as an annual global conference.[2][3]

Activities

Conferences

oSTEM hosts annual conferences[4][5] that discuss LGBT+ topics in STEM as well as intelligence fields.[6] Topics discussed include inclusion, outreach, and diversity within the workplace.[7][8] Workshops, presentations, and networking events for LGBT+ individuals aim to facilitate integration and advancement[9] in their respective fields. The 4th annual conference was hosted jointly with NOGLSTP's Out to Innovate[10] in Atlanta in 2014.

Conferences have been held in the following cities:

LGBTSTEM Day

On July 5th, 2018 oSTEM along with Pride in STEM[11], House of STEM[12], and InterEngineering[13] created international awareness for LGBTQ+ people in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.[14]

Awards

oSTEM presents a variety of awards annually to individuals and organizations that demonstrate a strong dedication to advancing and empowering LGBT+ in STEM fields.[15]

oSTEM Global STEM Service Award

The oSTEM Global STEM Service Award is given to present and past oSTEM members who show strong dedication to inclusion, diversity, and equality for LGBT+ and other marginalized individuals in STEM fields.[16]

Awardees are:

  • Dr. Eric Patridge (2013)
  • Dr. Elena Long (2014)
  • Emily Li (2015)
  • Marjorie Willner (2016)
  • Elise Wantling (2017)
  • Aaron F. Mertz (2018)
  • Avery Cunningham (2019)

oSTEM Strategic Alliance Award

The oSTEM Strategic Alliance Award is presented to a current sponsoring organization, community partner, or grant provider of oSTEM who demonstrates strong dedication, engagement, and support to oSTEM and its values.

Awardees are:

oSTEM Partner Excellence Award

The oSTEM Partner Excellence Award is presented to individuals associated with oSTEM accomplished in their academic or professional lives who regularly advocate for the full inclusion of people of all marginalized identities.

Awardees are:

Overall Student Chapter of the Year

The Overall Student Chapter of the Year is given to oSTEM chapters that educate, empower, and engage a diverse community. These chapters contribute greatly to identifying, addressing, and advocating for LGBTQ students in the STEM community

Awardees are:

Rookie Student Chapter of the Year

The Rookie Student Chapter of the Year celebrates achievements by oSTEM chapters that have been founded within two years of application submission.

Awardees are:

Chapters

oSTEM has over 90 chapters as of September, 2018. Chapters are organized into 6 geographic regions (A-F) and two types (student and professional).

Student Chapters
Map of the oSTEM (Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Regions in the United States.

The six regions are:

Professional Chapters

The first professional chapter is currently being tested in the Boston metropolitan area. Further cities will be announced at a later date.

Sponsors

oSTEM is sponsored by industries involved in STEM fields as well as government entities and academic STEM programs.[18]

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Career Fair Sponsors

Non-Profit / Academic Sponsors

See also

References
  1. "A Look at oSTEM: Out as LGBT+ in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics". Retrieved 2018-02-20.
  2. "New UC San Diego Chapter Sends LGBT+ Delegates to OSTEM Conference". Retrieved 2018-02-20.
  3. "About OSTEM". Retrieved 2018-02-20.
  4. "National Conference Discusses Being Out in STEM". Retrieved 2018-02-20.
  5. "LGBTQ-Focused OSTEM Holds Seventh Annual Conference". Retrieved 2018-02-20.
  6. "CIA Serves as Corporate Sponsor for National LGBT Conference". Retrieved 2018-02-20.
  7. "FAU Student Speaks on Overcoming Adversity at 2015 National oSTEM Conference". Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  8. "New UC San Diego Chapter Sends LGBT+ Delegates to OSTEM Conference". Retrieved 2018-02-20.
  9. "UNL student creates oSTEM chapter to focus on LGBTQ community in STEM fields". Retrieved 2018-02-20.
  10. "oSTEM and NOGLSTP joint meeting". Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  11. "PRIDE IN STEM, A charitable trust for LGBT+ in Science, Engineering, Tech, and Maths". Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  12. "HOUSE of STEM, A network of LGBTQ+ scientists in Ireland". Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  13. "InterEngineering, Connecting, Informing and Empowering LGBT+ engineers and supporters". Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  14. "THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL DAY OF LGBTQ+ PEOPLE IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHS; JULY 5TH, 2018". Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  15. "oSTEM Annual Awards". Retrieved 2018-02-20.
  16. "Coming out and standing up for others". 20 November 2017. Retrieved 2018-02-20.
  17. "Steve Riley named 2017 oSTEM Partner Excellence award winner". Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  18. "Our Sponsors". Retrieved 2018-02-20.
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