Women in STEM
Upping the Numbers (PDF)
This report, commissioned by the GE Foundation and researched by the Education Development Center, Inc. and Campbell-Kibler Associates, Inc. presents data on effective ways to increase underrepresented students’ motivation and success in STEM fields. The practices are intended for the use of educators, funders, policymakers and parents.
Balancing the Equation: Where are the Girls and Women in Science Engineering and Technology
This report from the National Council for Research on Women identifies the gains made in science, engineering and technology; the key challenges that remain; the lessons learned; and new issues that must be addressed. A Resource Guide in the report provides the reader with material to pursue further research about successful programs. Also included are Recommendations, which emphasize that an increase in women and girls' participation in all levels of science, engineering and technology requires strong leadership, changes in cultural values and practices, and systemic reform.
Broadening Participation in America’s Science and Engineering Workforce
This report offers a review of the work of the Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering (CEOSE) from 1980-2004. It assesses the effectiveness of the National Science Foundation’s attempts to broaden participation in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics and offers its own recommendations for broadening participation in STEM
InvestiGaming.com: Research Findings on Gender and Games
The InvestiGaming.com website provides a searchable catalog of academic and industry research on gender and gaming. Developed by faculty, students and consultants at Michigan State University with funding from the National Science Foundation, the site provides citations, abstracts and, in some cases, links to full text articles organized by topic. Researchers can submit their work for inclusion on the website as well. Works cited include books, book chapters, articles, conference presentations, research reports, and web pages.
Girls and Science and Math (PDF)
A helpful fact sheet containing statistics and research data on issues concerning girls and their relationship with science and math. The fact sheet was developed by Girls Incorporated and is good reference material for writing proposals.
Women in Trades, Technology & Science (IWITTS)
Gordon Snyder, Director of the National Center for Telecommunications Technologies at Springfield Technical Community College in Massachusetts conducts a podcast interview with Donna Milgram, Executive Director of the Institute for Women in the Trades, Technology, & Science (iwitts) about how to successfully integrate women into male dominated careers.
How Dads Influence Their Daughter’s Interest in Math
This article, based on a study by the University of Michigan, shows that parent attitudes and stereotypes regarding the importance of math and science for boys and girls have a significant effect on their children’s achievement and career choices. Using data from a longitudinal study of 800 children from 1987 to 2000, the researchers found that parents supported math learning for their sons more than their daughters, for example by buying more math and science toys and activities for them.
Shift in Researcher Population
Evidence from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) shows the diminishing relative role of the United States in the worldwide research population between 2002 and 2007. Over all, the researcher population grew by 56% in developing countries, and by 8.6% in developed countries. Worldwide, women make up 29% of the researcher population; however country breakdowns by gender were not available for many countries.
Robot Diaries: Broadening Participation in the Computer Science Pipeline through Social Technical Exploration
This report by the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence documents the results of new robotics workshops in which a social narrative approach and active community participation were used as motivation for secondary school girls to gain technological literacy.
Cross-National Patterns of Gender Differences in Mathematics: A Meta-Analysis
This meta-analysis of 69 countries in the Psychological Bulletin adds to the evidence that even though males have a more positive attitude and affect towards math, on average there is very little difference in math achievement between males and females. The authors find that cross-nationally different cultural indicators that reflect the status and welfare of women substantial account for variability in achievement.
Hurdles in the Pipeline: Girls and Technology Careers in Fronteirs Vol 26 No.1
Kekelis, Ancheta and Heber (2005) conducted a qualitative study of the hurdles to getting girls in the technology career pipeline. Although their recommendations are based on findings from a technology program, they are relevant to encouraging participation in all STEM fields. Many girls hold negative stereotypes about computing jobs (e.g. they are boring, nerdy, isolating). There is often a disconnect between girls' dream jobs, and their plans for getting those jobs. Girls have little information about what the jobs entail, the types of careers available, and the educational requirements to pursue those careers. Many girls lack career guidance and support for pursuing STEM careers.
Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
This report by AAUW looks at beliefs about intelligence, stereotypes, self assessment, spatial skills, college student and faculty experience, implicit bias and workplace bias to understand why there are so few women in STEM careers. It argues that we must carefully look at cultural stereotypes and biases to diversify the STEM fields.