Although improvements are being made with increased participation of women in science-related careers, there is still a significant under-representation of women, especially among minority women. There are a number of factors that contribute to this lack of women in science in our society, but most of these factors can be overcome to produce the next Anita Roberts, Sally Ride, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Blackburn, or YOU.

According to a study titled Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) by Kristine De Welde @ Florida Gulf Coast University and Sandra Laursen & Heather Thiry @ University of Colorado at Boulder (2007), several key factors prevent girls from entering or be successful in STEM fields. First, they found that the classroom environment in schools was not conducive to encouraging girls to pursue interests in these types of careers. Another key factor was the lack of female role models who could provide encouragement and inspiration, as well as demonstrate how to balance their lives between careers and family life. Other important factors include that girls are not well prepared for the demands of these fields and that they are not encouraged by the people around them. In addition, these women experience more discrimination and prejudice against them in the workplace, both in hiring practices and in promotion opportunities. These discriminatory practices also include differences in salaries between women and their male counterparts, as well as the practice of viewing women in these positions in a lower status than their male colleagues. Finally, in general, it is more difficult for women in the workplace to balance careers and families, but it is even more difficult for STEM careers because they are often more time-consuming due to requiring an extended education, and this can result in the sacrifice of family life or career goals for these women.

However, these factors do not have to crush a girl’s dream to work in the variety of STEM careers. A survey study presented last month (March 2010) by Bayer Facts of Science Education XIV, revealed the main causes of the underrepresentation of women scientists in STEM careers and pointed out the key factors (both positive and negative) that influence girls. and women in their journey through the education system and the workforce. His hope is that the results will help “break down the barriers and provide all of our budding scientists and engineers with the attitudes, behaviors, opportunities and resources that lead to success.” (BFOSE XIV 2010)

The findings suggest that fewer women in STEM careers can be offset by certain changes. First, it is important that schools have quality science programs that use hands-on materials and experiments, not just textbook learning. This is especially important in poorer school districts where these items may not be readily available. Educators should also be encouraged to provide more fun science classes and activities, and the district and community should support them and make necessary resources available, such as BrainCake’s The Girl Solution Gender Equity Toolkit. These activities should also be more geared towards the interests of girls. Successful female scientists should be invited to speak in class, and girl-centered science clubs, such as the GEMS club, should be created to give them the confidence, support, and resources they need to be successful. Additionally, multimedia resources should be used to help bring science to life, such as watching popular science programs on television or on DVD like PBS’s NOVA and playing interactive games on the Internet like those found on Science News for Kids. Parents can also help cheer up their daughters by purchasing science toys, kits, and equipment, as well as helping them do simple experiments at home or for science fair projects. Additionally, parents and educators can schedule trips to science museums and summer vacation science camps like Sally Ride Camps, as well as provide access to good female role models, mentors, and support groups. Finally, everyone can encourage, help girls set goals, and create opportunities for them to increase their positive science experiences and self-confidence. National Girls Collaborative Project and Expanding Your Horizons Network are two organizations that can help make this possible.

Another study published in February 2010 called Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics by Catherine Hill, Ph.D., Christianne Corbett, and Andresse St. Rose, Ed.D. focus on how families, schools and communities can encourage girls to overcome obstacles to help them enter STEM careers. At the same time, to overcome gender inequalities and social stereotypes, it is important to believe that intelligence is not fixed, but something that can be cultivated and cultivated, which helps to level the playing field and means that girls simply They have as much potential to learn and thrive in these fields as children. Another important factor in improving girls’ opportunities to excel in these fields is providing them with spatial training to increase their spatial skills. This can be done by simply encouraging them to build things, take them apart, and then put them back together. Drawing and working with your hands on various projects will also help improve your spatial skills.

So how can we encourage more girls to STEM fields? The answers may seem simple, but history tells us that change is not easy. For us, the key is to change people’s attitudes, which is probably one of the hardest things to do, but it will be worth it if we do it because it will allow us to tap into a pool of talented and creative female minds that can help us fly. towards the future. Then we have to provide the opportunities, experiences, skills and resources necessary to get the job done. If we can’t find any in our communities, then we have to look to other communities for help or start new ones, and the internet is full of virtually endless resources that we could use to power any idea or program. What are you waiting for?