Fostering STEM Interest in Women and Girls

KEY POINTS

• Consider project ideas for both male and female students.
• Invite women in the STEM fields to speak with your class.
• Highlight STEM activities for girls.

Despite the growing importance of STEM education and STEM careers, there still exists a large gender gap in the world of STEM. A 2023 study found that women make up only 28% of the STEM workforce, with this gap being most prominent in engineering and technology fields. Generally speaking, female students are statistically less likely to develop an interest in the STEM subjects. With this in mind, the mission to foster STEM interest in female students and cultivating environments of equality in STEM classrooms has become more important than ever.

IMPLEMENT PROJECTS THAT APPEAL TO BOTH GENDERS

In general, when it comes to implementing projects in the modern STEM classroom, the subject matter surrounding most projects tends to be more male-oriented. Sure, race cars and rocket ships certainly deliver on the “cool” factor, but it’s important to consider a wide range of STEM applications to ensure that you are drawing interest from both male and female students. In addition to subjects that are typically male-oriented, consider projects based around STEM subjects that tend to be more popular among female STEM professionals, like pharmacy and biology. Providing a wide variety of STEM applications that will capture the interest of both male and female students is just one step in closing the gender gap in the world of STEM.

INCORPORATE THE VOICES OF SUCCESSFUL WOMEN IN STEM

Inviting STEM professionals to come and talk to your students is a great way to highlight the real-world relevance of classroom content and to inspire your students to dream big. Consider seeking out female STEM professionals to visit your classroom as guest speakers. In particular, consider bringing in women who work in STEM fields that are typically male-dominante, like engineering and computer science. This can be especially helpful when it comes to building confidence in your female students and giving them female mentors to emulate. Providing this kind of positive female representation in your STEM classroom can play a vital role in inspiring the next generation of female STEM professionals.

ADVERTISE STEM ACTIVITIES FOR GIRLS

Experience with STEM outside of the classroom can often be just as important as in-classroom learning. When it comes to encouraging your female students to engage in STEM, be sure to make them aware of the female-oriented, extracurricular STEM activities available to them through your school or local community. Educate students about organizations like Girls Who Code. These organizations create an added opportunity for girls in particular to be exposed to STEM fields outside of school.

— Dr. Jake Roark