Stephanie Kelly’s article finds that a sense of belonging is imperative to attracting girls to STEM programs, and that there is no evidence for claims that brains of men and women are “hardwired” differently.
“Both science and women lose when stereotypes ‘serve as unnecessary gatekeepers’ to educational pursuits, writes Cordelia Fine in the book, Delusions of Gender: How Our Minds, Society, and Neurosexism Create Differences. She points to work by psychologist Catherine Good and others that shows that ‘a sense of belonging’ is an important factor in women’s intentions to continue in the field of math.”
The article suggests providing role models, outreach programs, and building awareness are important methods of increasing girls’ interest in STEM.
Read the full article here.