"In the U.S., 50 percent of middle school girls say they're interested in computer science. But by high school, less than two percent of young women plan to major in computer science," says Mary Barra, chairman and CEO, General Motors Company. "These girls need a path, they need support, they need more role models. As industries continue to transform, improving access to STEM education is not only crucial to our ability to innovate, it helps communities attract and keep good jobs that will drive the future."

"Increasing the Number of Women in STEM" is the second of five pillar reports to be released by the Council. The recommendations of the Council aim to increase the number of female business leaders and entrepreneurs, as well as contribute to the economic development and competitiveness of the Canadian and U.S. economies.

"Further increasing women in STEM studies and careers is critical to fully harness the potential of 100% of our population," says Linda Hasenfratz, CEO of Linamar Corporation. "STEM grads have proven to be great entrepreneurs, starting businesses that employ thousands of people which every economy needs more of. STEM grads are also desperately needed in many existing organizations as well as they transition through innovation to increasingly sophisticated technical solutions to many tasks."

An education in STEM is one of the most effective tools for launching new businesses, and extensive research has proven the economic advantage of a diverse workforce. While more women are studying and launching successful careers in STEM fields, they are still not yet at parity with their male counterparts in many areas. Key barriers affecting women's interest in and pursuit of STEM careers include: conscious and unconscious biases; lack of awareness regarding STEM programs and opportunities; and limited access to female STEM role models and professional mentors.

To overcome these hurdles, the Council has made recommendations across four categories of action:

• First – across all four categories – the Council recommends that the Canadian and U.S. governments develop a public-private partnership to create an online STEM portal for teachers, students, parents and businesses that hosts information on STEM career paths, programs, and learning tools and features role models and successful case studies to inspire and motivate.

• The four recommendation categories include:

• Communicate and educate

• Identify and share tool

• Identify and promote programs

• Mentor and empower women in STEM

Within these four categories, the Council's research-based recommendations include:

• Expand school curricula to include more STEM topics in courses designed to be engaging and build confidence and increase academic outreach to women

• Rethink the approach to post-secondary STEM education through program design, faculty makeup, admission requirements and recruitment efforts

• Encourage companies to develop STEM outreach programs and partnerships with academic institutions

• Recommend that STEM-centered organizations set participation goals for under-represented minorities broadly and that corporate partners request this information

• Strengthen training to address conscious and unconscious biases

• Develop formal corporate and academic mentorship, role model, and retention programs