Breaking barriers presentation stem - gitla
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The document summarizes research on gender differences in STEM performance and participation from high school through careers. It finds that while girls have made gains in high school math/science credits and GPAs, they are less likely than boys to take AP STEM tests or declare a STEM major. Social and environmental factors like growth mindsets, stereotypes, and biases in university environments contribute to ongoing underrepresentation of women in many STEM fields. Addressing these systemic issues through role models, clear standards, and bias awareness is important to achieving full participation and success for women in STEM.
Breaking barriers presentation stem - gitla
- 1. Breaking through barriers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
- 2. Girls’ performance and participation in math and science subjects in high school has improved over time and, in some cases, has surpassed that of boys.
- 3. In high school, both boys and girls are earning more credits in math and science over time. Girls seem to earn more credits than boys do. High School Credits Earned in Math and Science, by Gender, 1990–2005 Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2007, The Nation's Report Card: America's high school graduates. Results from the 2005 NAEP High School Transcript Study, by C. Shettle et al. (NCES 2007-467) (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office).
- 4. On average, female high school graduates now also earn higher GPAs in math and science, than their male peers. Grade Point Average in High School Mathematics and Science (Combined), by Gender, 1990–2005 Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2007, The Nation's Report Card: America's high school graduates: Results from the 2005 NAEP High School Transcript Study, by C. Shettle et al. (NCES 2007-467) (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office).
- 5. Also on average, boys perform better than girls do on Advanced Placement (AP) tests in math and science. Average Scores on Advanced Placement Tests in Mathematics and Science Subjects, by Gender, 2009 Source: Retrieved November 11, 2009, from the College Board website at www.collegeboard.com.
- 6. Despite the positive trends in high school, the transition from high school to college is a critical time for young women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
- 7. Women are less likely than men are to declare a STEM major in college. Intent of First‐Year College Students to Major in Science and Engineering Fields, by Gender, 2006 Physical sciences Mathematics/ statistics 35 Engineering Computer sciences Biological/ agricultural sciences 30 25 Percentage 20 15 10 5 0 Female Male Source: Commission on Professionals in Science and Technology. Data derived from Cooperative Institutional Research Program, Higher Education Research Institute, Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, University of California, Los Angeles, The American Freshman: National Norms for Fall 1990 through Fall 2006, www.gseis.ucla.edu/heri/heri.htm.
- 8. Women have earned the majority of bachelor’s degrees since 1982. Males 1,000,000 900,000 800,000 Number of Degrees 700,000 600,000 500,000 400,000 300,000 200,000 100,000 0 Year Bachelor's Degrees Conferred, by Gender,1971–72 to 2006–07 Source: Snyder, T.D., Dillow, S.A., and Hoffman, C.M. (2009). Digest of Education Statistics 2008 (NCES 2009-020). National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC.
- 9. Women’s representation among STEM bachelor’s degree holders has improved over time. Bachelor’s Degrees Earned by Women in Selected Fields, 1966–2006 Source: National Science Foundation, Division of Science Resources Statistics, 2008, Science and engineering degrees: 1966–2006 (Detailed Statistical Tables) (NSF 08-321) (Arlington, VA), Table 11, Author's analysis of Tables 34, 35, 38, & 39.
- 10. Women’s representation in the STEM workforce is also uneven.
- 11. Women are well represented among biological scientists but makeup a small minority of engineers. Women in Selected STEM Occupations, 1960–2000 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, & 2000, Census of the population (Washington, DC).
- 12. Women are underrepresented in many science and engineering occupations. 60 50 Percentage of Women 40 30 20 10 0 Biological scientists Environmental scientists and Computer programmers Chemical engineers Electrical and electronics geoscientists engineers Percentage of Employed STEM Professionals Who Are Women, Selected Professions, 2008 Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009, Women in the labor force: A databook (Report 1018) (Washington, DC), Table 11.
- 13. Reasons for underrepresentation of girls and women in STEM
- 14. Social and environmental factors contribute to the underrepresentation of women and girls in STEM. Eight research findings in three areas: • How social and environmental factors shape girls’ achievements and interests in math and science • The climate of college and university science and engineering departments • Continuing influence of bias
- 15. Girls’ achievements and interests in math and science are shaped by the environment around them. Believing in the potential for intellectual growth, in and of itself, improves outcomes.
- 16. In math and science, a growth mindset benefits girls. Fixed Mindset Growth Mindset Teach children that Intelligence is static. Intelligence can be intellectual skills can be developed. acquired. Leads to a desire to look Leads to a desire to learn smart and therefore a and therefore a tendency tendency to to Praise children for effort. • avoid challenges • embrace challenges • give up easily due to • persist despite Highlight the struggle. obstacles obstacles • see effort as fruitless • see effort as path to mastery Gifted and talented • ignore useful • learn from criticism feedback programs should send the • be threatened by • be inspired by message that they value others’ success others’ success growth and learning.
- 17. Negative stereotypes about girls’ and women’s abilities in math and science persist despite girls’ and women’s considerable gains in these areas in the last few decades.
- 18. Negative stereotypes about girls’ and women’s abilities in math and science adversely affect their performance in these fields. Performance on a Challenging Math Test, by Stereotype Threat Condition and Gender Expose girls to successful female role models in math and science. Teach students about stereotype threat. Source: Spencer, S. J., Steele, C. M., & Quinn, D. M., 1999, "Stereotype threat and women's math performance," Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 35(1), p. 13.
- 19. “Boys do not pursue mathematical activities at a higher rate than girls do because they are better at math. They do so, at least partially, because they think they are better.” —Shelley Correll, professor
- 20. Women hold themselves to a higher standard compared with men in “masculine” fields. Students’ Standards for Their Own Performance, by Gender • Set clear performance standards. • Help girls recognize their career-relevant skills. Note: Respondents were asked, “How high would you have to score to be convinced that you have high ability at this task?” Source: Correll, S.J., 2004, “Constraints into preferences: Gender, status, and emerging career aspirations,” American Sociological Review, 69, p. 106, Table 2.
- 21. The climate of science and engineering departments at colleges and universities is especially important for women— both students and faculty.
- 22. At colleges and universities, small changes can make a big difference in attracting and retaining women in STEM. • Actively recruit female Intent of First‐Year College Students to Major in Science and Engineering Fields, by Gender, 2006 students. Physical sciences • Emphasize broad 35 Mathematics/ statistics Engineering applications of science 30 Computer sciences and engineering in Biological/ agricultural sciences 25 introductory courses. Percentage 20 15 • Review admissions 10 policies to ensure that departments are not 5 unintentionally “weeding 0 Female Male out” potentially successful students. Source: Higher Education Research Institute, 2007, Survey of the American freshman: Special tabulations (Los Angeles, CA), cited in National Science Foundation, Division of Science Resources Statistics, 2009, Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in science and engineering: 2009 (NSF 09-305) (Arlington, VA), Table B-8.
- 23. Bias, often unconscious, limits women’s progress in scientific and engineering fields.
- 24. Even people who consciously reject Most people associate negative stereotypes about women in science and math fields with “male” and science can still hold those beliefs at an humanities and arts fields with “female.” unconscious level. • Take a test to learn about your unconscious bias at https://implicit.harvard.edu. • Take steps to address your biases.
- 25. Women in nontraditional fields can find themselves in a “double bind.” • Women in “male” jobs are viewed as less competent than their male peers. • When women are clearly competent, they are often considered less “likable.” • Raise awareness about bias against women in STEM fields. • Create clear criteria for success.
- 26. What can we do? BE A MENTOR! VOLUNTEER! CONTACT US + Sign UP! [email protected] @GITLA www.facebook.com/GirlsinTechLA http://www.girlsintech.org/