News Post

Young women from several Baton Rouge-area schools gathered at St. Joseph’s Academy on March 29 for the inaugural Women in STEM Experience. Coordinated by Taylor Templet, SJA’s Help Desk and eSports manager, the event was designed to bring together female students to ignite their passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Participants heard from female guest speakers from the gaming and STEM disciplines and enjoyed playing video games. Students from University View Academy, Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy and Episcopal High School joined their peers from SJA.

“The all-girls eSports event was an unforgettable experience – both fun and educational – in which young women came together to explore the exciting world of eSports and STEM,” Templet said. “It was incredible to witness the enthusiasm and camaraderie among the participants, but one moment truly stood out to me. A student from SJA walked up to me with a huge smile and said, ‘I had a lot of fun, and I got to make a new friend.’ That simple yet powerful statement reaffirmed what this event was all about: building connections, breaking barriers and opening doors to new opportunities in eSports.”

By fostering collaboration and providing hands-on opportunities, Women in STEM Experience seeks to bridge the gender gap in STEM fields and empower the next generation of female leaders. Louisiana faces a notable underrepresentation of women in STEM careers, with only 28 percent of the state’s workforce in STEM occupations being female. The SJA initiative provided girls with the opportunity to connect, learn from role models and explore STEM careers, ultimately encouraging them to pursue higher education and careers in these vital fields.

“This is just the beginning of a new eSports chapter for SJA, and I can’t wait to see where it leads,” Templet said. “Looking ahead to next school year, I envision an even bigger event, one that welcomes both girls and boys, bringing middle and high schoolers together from across East Baton Rouge for an exhilarating eSports tournament. Imagine a space where students can compete, collaborate and celebrate the gaming community in a way that unites and inspires. The future of eSports in our schools is bright, and this is only the first level.”