There’s a well-known gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Women have been historically underrepresented in these fields and are still underrepresented in many STEM roles today.
Educators play a crucial role in addressing this gap and creating a more inclusive environment in STEM education. Here are a few ways you can help reduce the gender gap in STEM and create better opportunities for all students.
1. Teach Students About Women STEM Leaders
Representation matters! Having STEM role models of their own gender can inspire girls to pursue further STEM education and careers. Educators have many ways to help students find role models, such as:
- Using online resources to showcase diverse STEM role models who inspire students.
- Decorating the classroom with posters or inspirational quotes from women in STEM.
- Inviting women who are STEM professionals to be guest speakers.
- Arranging field trips to STEM workplaces where women work.
Seeing successful women in STEM can help break down gender stereotypes. With role models of their own gender, more girls will see proof that people like them can excel in STEM fields.
2. Create a Collaborative and Inclusive Classroom Environment
An inclusive classroom environment is crucial for encouraging more girls to participate in STEM. Educators should foster a collaborative and inclusive classroom culture where all students feel valued, regardless of their gender or background.
If you are a teacher, you can make your classroom more inclusive by:
- Ensuring that girls have equal opportunities to participate and share their ideas (such as by calling on them as often as you call on the boys).
- Using gender-neutral groupings for projects and assignments.
- Addressing any biased behaviors or ideas that emerge in the classroom.
It’s important to create a safe space where all students feel they have the potential for success. In this kind of space, girls may feel more empowered to engage in STEM subjects.
3. Encourage Hands-On Learning
Hands-on learning experiences are an effective way to get students of all backgrounds more engaged in STEM subjects. Educators can assign hands-on activities like experiments, simulations, coding projects, or building prototypes using tools and materials from the classroom.
These activities can help students develop confidence in their abilities and interests in STEM, regardless of gender. They can also provide opportunities for collaboration and teamwork, which are essential skills for any students who continue on into a STEM field.
4. Provide Opportunities for Career Exploration
Educators can play a crucial role in exposing students to STEM career options. Your school can organize career events, invite STEM professionals to share their career journeys, or even arrange job shadowing. Career exploration can help students of all genders find their passions in STEM fields.
If some of the STEM professionals involved in these events are women and/or members of other underrepresented groups, they can become role models for girls. Seeing people they can identify with in STEM careers may encourage more girls to pursue STEM.
5. Challenge Stereotypes
Stereotypes and biases can discourage girls from pursuing STEM fields. Anyone can perpetuate stereotypes, including students from the stereotyped group. Educators should actively challenge and address misconceptions about STEM subjects and who can/should pursue them, especially when those misconceptions show up in students’ conversations.
Educators can challenge STEM stereotypes by discussing the historical contributions of women in STEM. They can also debunk myths and misconceptions about STEM as they arise (e.g., women don’t do X job or Y subject is too hard).
Educators can help girls see themselves as capable and valuable contributors in STEM fields by promoting a more accurate and inclusive understanding of STEM professionals.
6. Encourage Persistence and Resilience
It’s important to teach students to keep trying when they face challenges. Educators should promote a growth mindset, which is the knowledge that you can learn skills and develop intelligence with effort. Our STEM abilities aren’t fixed — any student can develop them with practice!
A growth mindset is important for all students, but it’s especially important for students who may have been told that their gender or race isn’t as good at STEM subjects. Some students may need a reminder that struggling is part of the learning process, not a sign that they aren’t cut out for success.
You can help all your students build confidence in their STEM abilities by encouraging them to embrace challenges, learn from failures, and keep trying. Teach students that they can overcome challenges with persistence, and then help them prove it to themselves.
7. Engage Families and Communities
Educators can also involve families and communities in their efforts to reduce the gender gap in STEM. They can host family STEM nights, involve parents in STEM-related projects or after-school activities, and work with local STEM-related organizations for field trips.
Families and communities are a supportive ecosystem for many students. If you get them on board, they can encourage girls’ interests in STEM and provide them with more resources for success.
Together, we can bridge the gender gap in STEM and inspire more girls to pursue their passions in these fields.
8. Provide Supportive Resources
Access to resources can play a crucial role in whether students pursue STEM, especially students who aren’t encouraged in these subjects as much at home. Educators can ensure that all students have reliable access to the equipment and resources they need for school assignments. Don’t assume every student has the tools for hands-on STEM projects at home.
You can also provide additional support, such as tutoring, mentoring, or extra-curricular STEM clubs. This kind of support helps students of all genders develop their skills and interests in STEM. If you notice that a school STEM club doesn’t include many girls, you can investigate why and maybe get more girls involved in advertising the club.
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You can also download a poster with inspirational quotes from famous women and men in STEM here.
