STEM Education: Closing the Gender Gap

Science is an ever-evolving and complex field and long gone are the days when science was only conducted in a lab. Research is clear about the future of science—technology will take be an integral part. As we move away from traditional natural studies and allow technology and engineering to take the forefront, we have to prepare the next generation with the necessary skills. One of the best ways to do this is through gender-inclusive STEM education.

Understanding STEM: A Brief Overview

STEM curriculum is based on the idea that science instruction should be four-fold. In essence, teachers should instruct students through a combined focus of--

1. Science
2. Technology
3. Engineering
4. Math

 According to the U.S. News and World Report: "The goal of STEM education is to prepare a generation of citizens capable of making evidence-based decisions required for the innovative fields that are driving the 21st-century economy." 

And it seems that STEM courses are making a difference. According to the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), the number of students graduating with a bachelor’s degree in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) has risen dramatically—up 55% from 2010 to 2018.

A Looming Problem: Where are the Girls?

And for good reason. Workers employed in STEM sectors are set to earn more than double the median salary of every other field. Although the numbers above are a strong testament to the fact that students’ changing interests and shifting labor market demands, one problem remains. A majority of these students are still males. As STEM has continued to skyrocket over the past 10 years, the number of graduating female engineers has barely risen, still hovering at around 20%. So what can be done? Should STEM education be gender neutral or should STEM courses be created in a way that draws girls in? The answer isn’t straightforward.

Boys vs. Girls: Are Males Just Better at STEM?

Although the sexist “boys are better at math and science than girls” mindset still exists among many, research has proven this to be untrue. In fact, many research-based articles place both boys and girls on equal playing field when it comes to math and science. Some even show them faring better. So what is it that keeps girls away from STEM fields.

Part of it is social constructs. Much of the research conducted around girls and math show that in countries where gender equality is high, there are no gender gaps between girls and boys. In areas where girls are expected to perform poorly in STEM because it is a social norm, they do. What we see is a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts.

Guiding Girls to STEM:

In a way, this is good news, since it means girls are just as capable of boys in regards to STEM. But as educators and parents, it is our job to relay this message to our girls and help guide them toward STEM-based fields. At the very least, we should be letting them know that they are an option.

Ways to accomplish this include:

• Transforming STEM into STEAM. STEM’s reputation and branding give off a male vibe. One way to change this up is to encourage STEAM education instead. STEAM adds in an extra element missing from STEM courses—art. Because many girls (and women) are attracted to and love to paint, draw, and design, adding this component is often the only key needed to attract girls who wouldn’t give a second thought to STEM activities. 
• Bridge the gap between STEM and helping professions. Although the reasons aren’t fully understood, it is well-documented that women usually go into helping professions such as nursing and teaching rather than engineering and math. This is unlikely to change, and that is okay. What we can do, is help girls draw the dots between these types of careers and STEM-related ones. For example, science teachers are always needed, and general practitioners need science as well. Showing girls how and why STEM courses are essential for their future can help bring them into the field.
• Connect them to female role models. Another way to get girls interested in science and technology is to pair them with women who hold those interests themselves. Bringing female astronauts, mathematicians, engineers, biologists, and the like into schools to connect with girls who never even considered going into science can be a path changing moment.
• Promoting STEM clubs. Even better is if you can get a STEM-related club going either in or after school. These groups allow for girls to read STEM education based books, take part in full activities, and fall in love with science in a hands-on way.
• Support them through Incentives. One final way to close the gender gap where STEM careers are concerned is for companies to offer incentives to women considering science-based roles as an option. This can come in the form of scholarships, sign-on bonuses, money for continuing education, etc.--whatever it takes to bring more great minds into the field of science. Our world will be better for it!

Do you have ideas of ways to get girls more interested in STEM education? I’d love for you to share and discuss!