Title: Here's how to encourage more girls to pursue science and math careers
Headings: Here’s how to encourage more girls to pursue science and math careers
Here’s how to encourage more girls to pursue science and math careers
Combat stereotypes about gender and intellect
Teach a growth mindset
Teach the value of failure
Talk about successful women
Provide opportunities to succeed
Combat false stereotypes about STEM
Help children relate to people in STEM
Create an environment that promotes science
Want to write?

Content: When children see how their efforts have paid off, they’ll be more likely to view STEM ability from a growth perspective. Culver Elementary School first-grade student Infiniti Collins holds a picture of Mae Jemison, the first female African-American astronaut, in 2003, in Evansville, Indiana. Bob Gwaltney/AP
Talk about successful women
Stereotypes can also be challenged by exposing girls to examples of women who have succeeded in STEM. The key is to portray these women as relatable and to highlight how they became scientists, making it easier for girls to envision themselves following a similar path to success. Provide opportunities to succeed
Another strategy is to provide opportunities for girls to succeed at STEM-related tasks to begin building their confidence. For example, a teacher might frame a programming assignment as a game instead, which might help young girls feel more motivated and capable of success. Combat false stereotypes about STEM
When children imagine themselves holding different jobs in the future, they might question whether they are similar to the people who tend to have those jobs. A mismatch between a young person’s self-concept and their impression of the members in a certain field can make the field seem like an unattractive career option. Unfortunately, media depictions of people in STEM are often narrow and perpetuate false stereotypes, such as that scientists are eccentric, “nerdy” or “geeky,” obsessive and detached from reality. Similarly, scientists’ work is assumed to be lonely and isolating.