In the past few years, student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics has increased. A recent US News & World Report article indicated that 25 percent of all high school students are looking forward to a STEM-related occupation.

However, despite the gradual increase, the article mentioned that “male students are more than three times as likely to be interested in STEM than female ones, and that gap is widening.” That is why teacher Fred Blattner is helping raise awareness, specifically for girls, regarding the opportunities in STEM-related careers.

According to Blattner, the event is based on an organization in England called “Finding Ada,” which was founded in 2009 to recognize the accomplishments of women in science, technology, engineering and math. It was named after Ada Lovelace, the daughter of the well-known poet Lord Byron and the woman who is considered the world’s first computer programmer. He explained that her efforts have inspired women to achieve in STEM-related fields.

On Oct. 15 at 2 p.m. in the auditeria, in honor of Ada Lovelace Day, two women from the nearby Jet Propulsion Lab and from the Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo will be visiting to talk about the opportunities and benefits in STEM for women; students will have the opportunity to ask questions afterwards.

Blattner also created a Twitter feed where students can learn more about Ada Lovelace as well as careers in STEM. Blattner said that he is looking forward to the upcoming event because it will be a great benefit for students who are interested in STEM careers. “We’re a science and technology school,” Blattner said. “Our students should be aware of the opportunities for them.”