About oSTEM

“Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics” (oSTEM) is a national society dedicated to educating and fostering leadership for LGBTQA communities in the STEM fields. We started as a single chapter in 2005, and the national society has been built by students, for students. Anyone who wishes to connect or start an oSTEM chapter should email us at info@ostem.org. We have a number of helpful tips and dedicated members who are ready and eager to assist.

Volunteers and sponsors are always welcome, and tax-deductible contributions to support the society are welcome through PayPal via donate@ostem.org. The national board, oSTEM Incorporated, has been established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. All funds are used to create programming opportunities, to enrich chapter development, and to further grow the national society; no funds are used for salaries or compensation.

Mission

As a national society, oSTEM serves LGBTQA communities and functions to:

  • Provide services and support for students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
  • Create a dynamic network between students and professionals in industry and academia.
  • Provide education, outreach, and professional resources to high school students.
  • Actively recruit and address the needs of diverse groups within the LGBTA community, inclusive of those who are historically underrepresented with regards to gender and ethnic background.

History of oSTEM

Our nation has celebrated and supported diversity in science and engineering with national student groups such as Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), and National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE).

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.

The students discussed topics relevant to LGBT communities at their own colleges and universities and debated how to structure an organization serving students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

oSTEM, which stands for Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, emerged from the focus group as a new national technical student society for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities.