While the gap is narrowing, a smaller percentage of girls than boys pursue studies and later, career paths, in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). It is less true than it used to be that people believe boys and men are naturally better at these subjects than are girls and women, although this idea persists to some degree. In “For the girls, belonging, not brain structure, makes the difference,” an article published in Techniques: Connecting Education & Careers, Stephanie Kelly references neuroscience professor Lise Eliot's research indicating brain differences between boys and girls are similar to height differences and differences in rates of growth, giving no reason to believe either sex has an advantage in STEM. Ms. Kelly also mentions the National Girls Collaborative Project report, “The State of Girls and Women in STEM,” which claims girls have, not less ability in STEM, but less interest and self-efficacy. In contrast, a study from the Girl Scout Research Institute (GSRI) found 82% of girls report they are “smart enough to have a career in STEM.” Reasons girls do not choose STEM careers include the belief that women in these fields are taken less seriously than men, the desire to have careers they believe will help people (GSRI, 2012), and, perhaps because of the first two reasons, the feeling they do not belong in STEM fields (Kelly, 2013).

If the block to girls and women entering STEM fields is not ability, but rather a sense they will not belong, will have to work harder, or will not be contributing to the good of humanity, then maybe the remedies to underrepresentation are social and emotional rather than content-related. Nonprofit organizations and corporations are investing resources in both research and programs to get girls interested in STEM fields (Kelly, 2013).

The following Youtube video, entitled “Girls and STEM,” promotes engaging girls' attention at a young age to combat the problem of underrepresentation in STEM.

References:

Girl Scout Research Institute, (2012, April). GenerationSTEM: What Girls Say About Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Professional Safety.

Kelly, S. (2013, October). For Girls in STEM, Belonging, Not Brain Structure, Makes the Difference. Techniques: Connecting Education & Careers.