T.C. Roekle is a highly respected educator who has solid leadership experience with a focus on innovative strategies to raise student and staff performance at the building and district level. T.C. is a member of the National Speakers Association; she has addressed thousands of educators at State and National Education Conferences, Technology Conferences and school communities.In the article, “Stereotypes turn girls off to math, science: About as many girls as boys like the subjects at a young age” published August 27th in Live Science, the author reviewed the research. Sixty-six percent of girls and sixty-eight percent of boys report liking science in early grades. But, the persistence of the stereotypes start to turn girls off, and by eighth grade, boys are twice as interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) careers as girls are. The female attrition continues throughout high school, college and even the work force.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20466219
Below are five myths about girls and science that still endure, according to the National Science Foundation's Research on Gender. A more complete explanation for each myth is given in the article.
Myth 1: From the time they start school, most girls are less interested in science than boys are.
Myth 2: Classroom interventions that work to increase girls' interest in STEM run the risk of turning off the boys.
Myth 3: Science and math teachers are no longer biased toward their male students.
Myth 4: When girls just aren't interested in science, parents can't do much to motivate them.
Myth 5: At the college level, changing the STEM curriculum runs the risk of watering down important "sink or swim" coursework.
The study offers strategies and interventions to help our female students view science and math as a viable career. One of the most effective interventions to help young women choose and sustain a STEM educational path and subsequent STEM career is mentoring, according to the NSF.
"There are helpful strategies for teachers and for families to attract girls to science and keep them engaged in it," says Jolene Kay Jesse, GSE program director. "And, by the way, these strategies are helpful in keeping students of both genders engaged."
The program seeks to broaden the participation of girls and women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education fields by supporting research, research-based innovations and education add-ons that will lead to a larger and more diverse domestic science and engineering workforce.
Ask Yourself:
- Does our science, technology and math curriculum encourage strong participation from our girls?
- How do we know? What are we doing proactively?
- Should we actually ASK the girls about the “vibes” they get from their school or home culture?
Other Interesting Articles:
“A Math Makeover
OMG! Actress and mathematician Danica McKellar wants girls to know that being good at numbers is cool.
By Peg Tyre, Newsweek, Aug. 6, 2007 issue
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20010729/site/newsweek/
“Girls Much Quicker than Boys at Timed Tasks”
By Robert Roy Britt, LiveScience Managing Editor
25 April 2006
http://www.livescience.com/health/060425_boys_girls.html
“Are Men Smarter?”
Posted: Thursday, September 07, 2006 6:57 PM by Alan Boyle
Cosmic Log posting on MSNBC
http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/09/07/3075.aspx
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