Key points:
Even though efforts to increase girls’ interest and participation in STEM learning and careers are successful, girls still face significant barriers in their endeavors in STEM fields, leading to a loss of trust.
Unveiled during the STEM Innovation Forum, The Girls Index: Report on the impact of girls and STEMa groundbreaking study from Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX) of 17,502 girls in grades 5-12 across the United States, highlights the changing perceptions, interests, and challenges girls face when they pursue STEM education and careers.
The good news: The efforts of STEM advocates, educators, and professionals to increase girls’ interest in STEM are paying off. Girls’ interest in STEM careers has increased. Fifty-five percent of girls reported being interested in a STEM career, up from 45 percent in 2017. Among the youngest girls surveyed, interest among 5th and 6th graders increased by 20 percent over the same period. And regardless of their racial identity or socioeconomic status, girls’ interest in pursuing a career in STEM remains high until graduation.
The bad news: While interest in STEM is increasing, girls’ confidence in their STEM abilities is declining. drop. Only 59% of girls believe they are good at mathematics and science, compared to 73% in 2017.
And what’s alarming is that 58% of high school girls don’t think they’re smart enough to have their dream job, up from 46% in 2017. Among 5th and 6th graders, that number has more than doubled: 52% do not believe they are intelligent enough. for their dream job, up from 23 percent in 2017.
Girls’ perceptions of their own abilities impact what they think they are capable of and, ultimately, the academic and career paths they pursue. Even though girls report high levels of interest in STEM, their perceptions of their abilities in key STEM subjects, such as math and science, are declining precipitously. This critical disconnect between aspirations and self-confidence highlights the need for targeted interventions that boost interpersonal and STEM self-efficacy.
The report also reveals a major gap and why many girls don’t pursue STEM careers: 86% of girls want a career that helps others and don’t instinctively view STEM that way. This perception gap is exacerbated by persistent stereotypes, with 89 percent of girls reporting feeling pressured to conform to traditional gender roles. These entrenched stereotypes not only shape girls’ views of STEM as less rewarding or useful, but also continue to impact their academic and career choices, steering them away from STEM fields despite their potential for significant societal contribution. .
Dr. Lisa Hinkelman, Founder and CEO of ROX, said: “Our girls are on the cusp of incredible STEM opportunities, their interest is high and their aspirations strong. Yet we also see them struggling with loss of confidence, persistent stereotypes, and a disconnect between their desire to help others and their perceptions of STEM careers. It is our responsibility – as educators, STEM professionals, and community members – to close these gaps and pave the way for our girls to thrive in STEM fields.
The Girls’ Index: Girls & STEM Impact Report not only highlights the current challenges and barriers girls face in STEM fields, but also highlights practical solutions that can be applied in the classroom in a timely manner classes, communities and homes across the country. . These recommendations, outlined in the report, are designed to be concrete and supportive, aiming to increase girls’ confidence in their abilities and inspire lasting interest in STEM disciplines.
Lou Von Thaer, Battelle President and CEO, said: “Battelle is proud to partner with ROX on this groundbreaking report that reveals key considerations for STEM educators and advocates. It gives us concrete strategies to support girls’ growing interest in STEM, while addressing the complex interplay of factors that influence girls’ STEM career trajectories. Building our workforce and creating a future of women STEM leaders starts with the roadmap provided in The Girls’ Index: Girls & STEM Impact Report.
This press release originally appeared online.