NISOURCE Charitable Foundation together with NIPSCO hosts inaugural ‘Introduct a Girl to STEAM’ event

More than 300 girls across five states were urged to dream big as they explored innovative careers in science and technology as part of “Introduce a Girl to STEAM,” an inaugural event hosted by the NiSource Charitable Foundation in partnership with NiSource Inc. and its subsidiary Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO).

On Monday, Feb. 17, NIPSCO turned its Merrillville headquarters into an interactive learning classroom. Girls in grades 4 through 6 participated in games, scientific demonstrations, and team-building exercises focused on STEAM—science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

“Our goal today was to get these girls energized about STEAM at a very young age and inspire them to pursue someday a rewarding career in science, technology, and engineering,” said Melody Birmingham, NiSource Charitable Foundation board member and Executive Vice President and Group Utilities President for NiSource Inc.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau 2024 data, women hold 26% of STEM positions in the United States and just 15% of all engineering jobs.

“With ‘Introduce a Girl to STEAM,’ we are nurturing the talent needed to innovate and carry our industry forward for generations to come,” Birmingham said. “We want these girls to feel excited at envisioning themselves someday as engineers and leaders in technology.”

The Foundation’s STEAM events were held simultaneously at NiSource companies in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Employees, including engineers, volunteered to mentor and guide the girls through a half-day curriculum that included natural gas and electric demonstrations as well as fun instructional activities, games, and competitions.

DAWN (Developing and Advancing Women at NiSource) employee resource group also played an instrumental role in planning the event. NIPSCO partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Indiana to host 80 girls at the event.

“One of the NiSource Charitable Foundation’s primary goals is to make a significant impact on STEM education and workforce development in every community our utility serves,” said Vince Parisi, NIPSCO President and Chief Operating Officer. “We hope this event will serve as a catalyst for introducing young girls to careers where women are otherwise underrepresented.”