Although improvements are being made with greater participation of women in science-related careers, there is still significant under-representation of women, especially among minority women. There are several factors that contribute to this lack of women in science in our society, but most of these factors can be overcome to produce the next Anita Roberts, Sally Ride, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Blackburn, or you.

According to a study entitled “Women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Christine de Weld @ Florida Gulf Coast University, and Sandra Laursen and Heather Thiry @ University of Colorado at Boulder (2007), several key factors that prevent girls from entering or be successful in the areas of STEM. First, they found that conditions in the class of the school is not conducive to encouraging girls to pursue interests in these types of careers. Another key factor is the lack of female role models who could provide support and inspiration, as well as demonstrate how to balance their lives between career and family life. Other important factors are the girls are not well prepared for the demands of these areas, and is not recommended to people around them. In addition, these women face more discrimination and prejudice against them in the workplace both in employment and opportunities for improvement. These discriminatory practices also include the salary differences between men and women, as well as practice to see women in these positions at a lower status than their male counterparts. Finally, it is difficult in general for women in the workplace to balance career and family, but it is more so for STEM careers, since they often have more time, because of requiring additional education, and this can lead to sacrifice family life or career goals for these women.

However, these factors do not have to crush the dream girl to work in various career STEM. Overview of the study, presented last month (March 2010) Bayer Facts science education XIV, was released from the main causes of under-representation of women scientists in the career of STEM, and identifies key factors (both positive and negative) that affect girls and women as they journey through the education system and workforce. They hoped that the results will help “break the barriers and ensure that all our scientists and engineers beginning, attitudes, behaviors, capabilities and resources that leads to success. (XIV BFOSE 2010)

These data indicate that fewer women in STEM careers can neutralize some changes. First of all, it is important to schools to have the quality of scientific programs that use practical materials and experiments, not only learning through textbooks. This is particularly important in poorer areas, schools, where these items can not be easily accessible. Teachers should also be encouraged to provide more fun science classes and events, district and community should support them and make the necessary resources, such as Girl BrainCake in addressing gender equality Tool Kit. These activities should be more oriented girl interests. Successful women scientists should be invited to speak to classes, and the girl-heart science clubs, the club GEMS should be set up to give them confidence, support and resources they need to succeed. In addition, multimedia resources should be used to make science come alive, like watching a well-known scientific programs on television or on DVD, as NOVA PBS and interactive game play over the Internet, like those found in science news for children. Parents can also help in the search for their daughters when buying science toys, kits and equipment for them and help them to do simple experiments at home or on science fair projects. In addition, parents and educators can plan trips to museums of science and science summer vacation camp as a camp Sally Ride, as well as provide access to quality female role models, mentors, and support groups. Finally, everyone can provide support, help girls set goals and create opportunities for them to increase the positive experience of science and self-confidence. National girls’ joint project and expand the horizons of the network are two organizations that can help make this possible.

Another study, published in February 2010, is why so few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Catherine Hill, Ph.D., Christian Corbett, and Andresse St. Rose, Ed.D. focus on how families, schools and communities can encourage young women to overcome obstacles, to help them to enter STEM careers. At the same time, to address gender inequality and social stereotypes, it is important to believe that intelligence is not fixed, but it is something that can be developed and grown, which helps level the playing field and means that the girls had just as much potential , to learn and develop in these areas as boys. Another important factor in enhancing the chances of girls excellent work in these areas to ensure their space training to increase their spatial skills. This can only be done by encouraging them to create things, analyze, and then put them back together again. Drawing and working with their hands on the various projects will also improve their spatial abilities.

Since we recommend that more girls in the field STEM? The answer may seem simple, but history tells us that change is not easy. The key for us to change people’s attitudes in the first place is probably one of the hardest things to do, but it will be well worth it if we, as this will allow us to utilize the reservoir of talented, creative women’s minds can help us grow in the future. Then we must provide opportunities, experiences, skills and resources needed to get the job. If we can not find in our communities, then we should look to other communities for help or start new ones, as well as on the Internet is full of the almost endless resources that we could use to push every idea or program. What are you waiting for?