For a long time we've known that girls are still behind boys when it comes to math and science -- particularly the physical sciences. Now the AAUW (formerly the American Association of University Women) has released a comprehensive new report that documents this problem, "Why So Few."
TrueChild was invited to be part of the news conference: you can view it here, and also download a copy of the report.
The direction of the findings has been pretty clear for some time. Girls can and do perform as well as boys in math and science early on. But once they hit grades 5-9, right around adolescence, there's a noticeable drop-off in interest in science, technology, engineering and match (so-called "STEM"). They do a lot less outside of school too -- playing with chemistry sets or joining groups that engage with science.
By the time kids can exercise choice over what courses they take -- the last years of high school through the end of college -- there's a marked drop in participation as well.
Women are doing better in "helping sciences" like biology, but even in newer fields like computers, they make up a fraction of the students and often perform noticeably worse.
This phenomenon of fewer and fewer girls left in the field is so common it's even got a name: "the leaky pipeline."
What's interesting is that although we've looked long and hard at external barriers -- unfriendly classroom environments, lack of adult role models, parents who think science isn't or girls -- we haven't looked at all at internalized feminine norms. Which -- given that all this starts just when girls hit puberty -- would seem to be a prime candidate.
That's why TrueChild has just submitted its first grants to study the effects of internalized norms on girls and STEM. We think that as they enter puberty, girls have to make a choice between opting out of femininity and opting out of STEM. In fact, that's just the way Dr. Janet Stemwedel, who blogs about girls and science, put it in her post here.
We think we have a pretty strong case to make, and this is exciting – and pretty untouched – area of inquiry.
In the meantime, here are some hints to help you keep your daughter interested in math and science, or help your son realize STEM is also a "girls' thing."
- Don't talk about science as something for boys only.
- Do point out all the TV and movie scientists who are (always) male and ask your child why they think that might be.
- Do offer examples of women in your child's life who are into math or science -- a vet, an aunt, etc.
- Do offer to engage your daughter in activities that involve tools, batteries, or computers.
- Do help your daughter develop computer literacy through popular social networking sites (and monitor her for safe use of them).
- Do talk to your daughter's teacher about making sure to call on girls during math and science.
- Don't assume that just because your daughter likes pink dresses and princess playthings she won't also find math or science interesting.
- Do take advantage of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work and point out the technology parts of your job.
- Do encourage your daughter to take optional math and science courses or AP classes.
- Do encourage your daughter with gifts that engage her in technology, like portable video cameras or portable electronic games.
