Communications of the ACM
Why Stem's Future Rests in the Hands of 12-Year-Old Girls
A recently released report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development found, among other things, that girls have a lower level of confidence in their math abilities, and are more anxious when conducting math-related tasks than boys.
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Girls have a lower level of confidence in their math abilities and are more anxious when conducting math-related tasks than boys, according to a recent Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) report.
Some studies found girls' liking for math and science starts to decline around age 12, and they expect to perform less well in these subjects and blame a lack of ability for their failures. These and other findings indicate girls in the 9-to-12 age bracket tend to opt out of higher-level math and science courses by high school, lessening their chances of pursuing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) majors in college, as well as related careers.
Three core causes that prevent girls from entering STEM fields must be addressed, according to the OECD report, including reforming their perception that such fields involve little interaction and teamwork. The report says this can be done via positive female role models who highlight STEM employers' hunger for employees with "soft skills."
Another challenge to be met involves encouraging a "growth mindset" among girls about their learning potential, as opposed to a "fixed" mindset.
The third requirement is to broaden girls' exposure to practical STEM applications via in-class and extracurricular activities.
From TechCrunch
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