For years — and especially since 2005, when Lawrence H. Summers, then president of Harvard, made his notorious comments about women’s aptitude — researchers have been searching for ways to explain why there are so many more men than women in the top ranks of science. Link>>
STEM Resources Bibliography: Save Yourself Hours of Research
October 16th, 2012 by Rich Feller
Our bibliography is chock-full of resources you can share with your students or use yourself! This downloadable bibliography has hundreds of entries divided into five main categories such as Engaging women and girls in STEM education. We designed this updated version of the bibliography to be as easy-to-use as possible, so you can spend more time working with students and less time searching the internet for the resources and tools you know are out there to help you recruit and retain female students.
Bridging the STEM Gap with Girl Scouts
September 6th, 2012 by Brad Graham
In a world being transformed by technology, only one-fifth of American scientists and engineers are women. Although girls are precocious learners, they tend to leave science and math to the boys in middle school. In high school, while girls match or surpass boys’ aptitude, they are less likely to take advanced placement physics or computer science exams. A recent Girl Scout Research Institute study discovered that girls’ future career choices are more influenced by inspiring role models than by academic interests.
‘Girls Who Code’ Inspires Teen Girls Towards Tech Careers
August 6th, 2012 by Brad Graham
‘Girls Who Code’, created by Reshma Saujani, a former deputy public advocate for New York City, started the program because she was struck by the number of girls she met in public housing projects that had an interest in tech, but limited resources to follow their pursuits in the field. Working with diverse young women, Saujani and ‘Girls Who Code’ partner with top tech companies like Google and Intel to add more diversity and gender diversity in STEM workplaces.
New Study: Mathematics Makes Girls More Anxious Than Boys
July 10th, 2012 by Brad Graham
In a recent English study, researchers have found that girls suffer more anxiety around math over boys. However, the research also indicates that despite the anxiety, girls performance on math does not differ from that of boys. The research is unclear as to why anxiety is higher in girls, but there is speculation that reasons might be that “math [is a] “male” domain, that girls may be more willing to admit feelings of anxiety or may be more critical of themselves than boys; that boys have greater self confidence; and that past experience with mathematics is responsible, the researchers write.” Here is another reason why girls may not be as motivated to pursue careers in STEM.
Posted in: Girls, Mathematics, STEM, Women
10 Startling Stats About Minorities in STEM
June 19th, 2012 by Rich Feller
With data compiled from a 2006 study of minorities and their relationship to STEM, OnlineUniversities.com has produced this interesting article and infogram with 10 startling stats. Although it is not new news that minorities are missing from many STEM careers and educational programs, it is apparent based on this research that minorities have a keen interest in STEM related fields. The reason? The article states that, “…the gap exists because many minority students aren’t afforded the same educational opportunities, receiving less science and mathematics instruction from more inexperienced teachers. Lack of mentors has also been proposed as a potential problem, as well as lack of financial assistance. Again, this is further evidence that STEM opportunities need to be further integrated into our educational systems, especially those filled with disadvantaged and marginalized populations.
Posted in: Girls, Minorities, Resources, STEM
Top Companies Google, Lockheed Martin, & Microsoft Promote Girls in STEM
May 3rd, 2012 by Brad Graham
Funded by the National Science Foundation, a coalition of corporate, educational and nonprofit organizations are helping to promote STEM careers in girls. Currently, women are only receiving 20% of bachelor degrees in STEM majors compared to men. With a growing demand for workers with security clearances, defense contracting companies believe women can help fill that void.
Girls and Math – No Gender Gap in Math
March 7th, 2011 by Noah Clark
This YouTube video suggests there no STEM gender gap between women and men.
Posted in: Counselors, Girls, Math, STEM video clips, Students
