Erie Schools Aim to Boost Women in STEM on International Women in Science Day

Local technical school and university work to narrow the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and math fields.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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On International Women in Science Day, schools in Erie, Pennsylvania are working to get more young women interested and involved in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields. The Erie County Technical School is offering 21 programs with growing female enrollment, while Gannon University is also making efforts to recruit and retain more women in STEM majors through K-12 initiatives, grant programs, and hiring more female faculty.

Why it matters

Historically, men have dominated STEM fields globally, but schools in Erie are trying to change that trend and empower young women to pursue careers in science and technology. Increasing gender diversity in these high-demand industries can lead to more innovation, problem-solving, and economic opportunities for women.

The details

The Erie County Technical School has seen a shift in recent years, with young women showing interest in a variety of STEM programs from computer networking to advanced manufacturing. The school works with industry partners to provide local job opportunities for graduates and help fill open positions at STEM employers. At the college level, Gannon University has also made efforts to recruit and retain more female STEM students, including K-12 outreach, grant programs, and hiring more women on the faculty.

  • International Women in Science Day is celebrated annually on February 11.
  • The Erie County Technical School has been working to break down barriers for women in STEM for several years.

The players

Julie Aiken

Assistant Director of Curriculum at the Erie County Technical School.

Kori Jo Bement

A computer networking student at the Erie County Technical School.

Payten Wimberly

A drafting and design engineering student at the Erie County Technical School.

Dr. Karinna Vernaza

Dean of Engineering and Business at Gannon University.

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What they’re saying

“One of the most obvious obstacles that we see is young ladies feeling like they can't do something. I believe that I've seen a strong shift of breaking down that barrier, and letting young ladies know, they can do anything, and they might be even a little bit better at it than their male counterparts.”

— Julie Aiken, Assistant Director of Curriculum (yourerie.com)

“It's a male dominated field, but it's possible to get into, and you just have to be willing to put in the work.”

— Kori Jo Bement, Computer Networking Student (yourerie.com)

“You don't see a lot of people, a lot of women doing this, so it makes me feel kind of powerful to be one of the few people doing it.”

— Payten Wimberly, Drafting and Design Engineering Student (yourerie.com)

“Having a conversation with somebody who has navigated through those environments is important because it's not hard; you just need to say, 'This is something I want to do.' And if you feel that you want to do it, I'm sure you can accomplish that.”

— Dr. Karinna Vernaza, Dean of Engineering and Business (yourerie.com)

What’s next

The Erie County Technical School and Gannon University plan to continue their efforts to recruit and retain more women in STEM fields through outreach, mentorship, and creating supportive environments.

The takeaway

Schools in Erie are making strides to empower young women and break down the gender barriers that have historically existed in science, technology, engineering, and math. By providing role models, hands-on opportunities, and encouragement, they hope to inspire the next generation of female STEM leaders and innovators.