Highly qualified professors, eager students and a new state-of-the-art campus: It's everything you'd come to expect from Florida Polytechnic University, a college that prides itself on leading the world in technology and innovation.

But after the first week of classes, there was something we hadn't seen a lot of. Women.

“Starting this fall as far as our population, we have 86 percent male," said Florida Poly Assistant Director of Admissions, Lauren Willison. "So only 14 percent of them are female.” 

“Having so few girls here we kind of cluster together,” said Florida Poly student, Michaela Mills.

They may stand out in a crowd at the school but when it comes to their studies, the female students said they’re on the same playing field as the boys.

“Basically to the younger girls I say, try to beat the guys and get ahead,” Mills said.

The female students are already well on their way. They’ve formed a club for women in STEM with help from the schools only female engineering professor, Doctor Christina Drake.

“We’ve been posting articles just on perceptions of females in engineering to help them understand that and let them know that, that’s normal and that they’re not alone,” Drake said.

It’s what they’re hoping will echo amongst young girls who are on the fence about STEM based learning. Some of the same people who made Mac make-up and flat irons, majored in some of the same things offered at Florida Poly.

“It’s not only about what you see," said student, Alicia Bishop. "There’s a lot of stuff that goes on behind it which is a lot of technology and engineering things. Chemical engineers make the make up and other engineers make the products you use.”

School recruiters said they’ve already started reaching out to potential female students for next year. The women in STEM club are also working on a mentoring program with young girls.