Female representation in science, technology, engineering, and math (or STEM) jobs is increasing, especially in health-care-related jobs. But women are still largely underrepresented in other STEM careers, such as computer science and engineering, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The reason? Girls still have to break through barriers, such as gender stereotypes, in order to gain interest in STEM fields and feel confident that they can be successful in them.
Experts say that it’s vital for girls to be introduced to STEM career opportunities as early as elementary school and have role models throughout their K-12 education who will encourage them to pursue study in these fields.
This is where schools come into the picture. Too often, students aren’t introduced to STEM career opportunities until they’re in high school, but that is often too late for many kids, according to experts. STEM engagement could be done through hands-on activities, after-school clubs, and career day events that start in elementary school and extend into middle and high school.
Education Week has extensive coverage that addresses the question of how to get more girls to pursue STEM careers. Here is a collection of articles and videos Education Week has published on this topic that you could use to tackle this challenge.
What the research says
Boys and girls start out on the same biological footing when it comes to math, based on the first neuroimaging study of math gender differences in children, according to an article published in the journal Science of Learning.
Girls persevere longer and are more engaged in science tasks when they are asked to “do science,” rather than “be scientists,” according to a study published in the journal Psychological Science.
Gender gaps in the most male-dominated science fields don’t come from men outperforming women academically in those subjects, but from the fact that overwhelmingly more low-achieving boys opt for STEM careers more than most girls do, according to a study by New York University researchers.
Girls’ STEM teachers are influential
One of the most influential factors that determines whether girls will pursue a career in the technology industry is having a parent or teacher who encouraged them to study computer science, according to a survey from Girls Who Code and Logitech.
How to make STEM more inclusive
Three Latina teachers discuss how they’re pushing the boundaries of computer science education, by expanding the K-12 sector’s notions of what counts as “real” computer science.
Using video games to spark girls’ interest in STEM
To get girls interested in STEM careers, two teachers in a Louisiana school district decided to start their own after-school club called Girls Who Game. The students play Minecraft, a 3D game where you can create just about anything, to learn skills such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity.
What women in STEM careers have to say
Former Southwest Airlines pilot Tammie Jo Shults talked about school anxiety, STEM career preparation programs, and what problem-solving skills students should be learning in school.
In an article, female NASA scientists talked about what educators can do to ensure they are engaging girls and other underrepresented students in STEM.
