AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- In the U.S., industries employing scientists, computer programmers, engineers and medical professionals have historically been male-dominated. However, research shows that when women are given equal opportunities and training in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, they thrive just as much if not more than their male counterparts. So why aren't more women in these fields? Studies suggest this gender gap begins with education. Many bright young girls are not being encouraged to pursue advanced education and degrees in STEM largely due to preconceived notions.
Participants from Girlstart transformed the spacious living room of a two-room suite at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown South Congress into an international space station, complete with windows, working stations and a space rover.
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Embassy Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown South Congress’s open atrium served as the perfect setting for Girlstart members to test their drone flying abilities by delivering a package multiple stories into the air to their friends.
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With the power of innovation, the Embassy Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown South Congress pool was transformed into an underwater robo-race obstacle course by Girlstart.
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Chefs at Embassy Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown South Congress passed their spatulas to Girlstart participants, who cooked a made-to-order egg breakfast using a solar oven.
One of the organizations working to shift this status quo is Girlstart, a Texas-based nonprofit that provides year-round STEM education programs for girls from kindergarten through 12th grade. The organization's goal is to inspire them to change the world. Engaging these young women in STEM education from an early age has already paid off for many, with data from Austin and Georgetown school districts showing that Girlstart participants are 21 percent more likely to meet standard in standardized math testing and 48 percent more likely to meet standard in standardized science testing than their peers.
Girlstart's unique and forward-thinking programs take its participants' interest in STEM studies into the stratosphere, including recently taking off at the local Embassy Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown South Congress. Since every room is a suite, there was plenty of room to explore the participants' big ideas. The girls were invited to transform the hotel's spacious two-room suites into an immersive out-of-this-world space expedition.
As part of its Travel with Purpose mission, Hilton is committed to investing in youth opportunity programs at home and around the world. Embassy Suites by Hilton strives to "Make a Difference" in the communities it serves and sought to instill that same commitment in the young women who came to the hotel.
"We were beyond excited to host the Girlstart group at Embassy Suites. Hilton has always invested in our youth, establishing programs throughout the globe to help the future generation succeed," said Stephanie Voutselakos, general manager, Embassy Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown South Congress. "It was an honor to open our doors to a local organization that is educating the future generation of STEM."
At the hotel, in addition to transforming a suite into outer space, Girlstart participants had fun using science and technology to accomplish a series of everyday tasks in new ways. The girls delivered a package across the hotel's expansive atrium using a drone and even cooked a "made-to-order" egg breakfast – just like Embassy Suites by Hilton's omelet chefs do every day – using a solar oven. The group finished the day with an underwater robo-race obstacle course in the hotel's pool.
This partnership was established to encourage more young women to study STEM and to support the local community. For more information, visit EmbassySuites.com/STEM.
About Embassy Suites by Hilton Embassy Suites by Hilton, one of Hilton's 17 market-leading brands, is dedicated to delivering what matters most to travelers. The full-service, upscale brand offers two-room suites, free made-to-order breakfast and a nightly two-hour reception with complimentary drinks and snacks. Both leisure and business travelers looking for a relaxed, yet sophisticated experience will feel right at home with brand-standard amenities like inviting atriums and complimentary 24-hour business and fitness centers. Embassy Suites by Hilton has 254 hotels with 43 in the pipeline. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount that can't be found anywhere else, free standard WiFi, and digital amenities like digital check-in with room selection and Digital Key (select locations), available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app. For more information, visit www.embassysuites.com or newsroom.hilton.com/embassysuites, and connect with Embassy Suites by Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About Travel with Purpose Travel with Purpose is Hilton's corporate responsibility strategy to redefine and advance sustainable travel globally. By 2030, we plan to double our social impact investment and cut our environmental footprint by half. We track, analyze and report our environmental and social impact at each of Hilton's nearly 6,000 hotels through LightStay, our award-winning performance measurement system. Travel with Purpose capitalizes on Hilton's global scale to catalyze local economic growth; promote human rights; invest in people and local communities; and preserve our planet by reducing our impact on natural resources. Our strategy aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Visit cr.hilton.com to learn more.
Media Contact: Kristen Wells Director, Brand Communications, Hilton +1 703 883 5826 [email protected]
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