Astronomy
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I recently heard this story on NPR about why some schools have a higher percentage of girls taking physics than others (the story was also posted on the CSWA facebook page. The study done by Dr. Catherine Riegle-Crumb sought to understand why there is...
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AAS Committee on the Status of Women Issue of June 22, 2012 eds. Joan Schmelz, Caroline Simpson, and Michele Montgomery This week's issues: 1. Feminine Role Models2. Incivility Among Faculty Members3. Why Women Still Can't Have It All4. Firsts...
- Top 5 Myths About Girls, Math, And Science
LiveScience debunks the top 5 myths about girls, math, and science: The days of sexist science teachers and Barbies chirping that "math class is tough!" are over, according to pop culture, but a government program aimed at bringing more women and girls...
Astronomy
Evaluating How We Present Role Models in STEM
Posted by L. Trouille
Univ. of Michigan social psychologists Diana Betz and Denise Sekaquaptewa recently published a thought-provoking article that I thought might be of interest to our readers -- "My Fair Physicist? Feminine Math and Science Role Models Demotivate Young Girls."
Abstract:
Women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are labeled unfeminine, a costly social label that may discourage female students from pursuing these fields. Challenges to this stereotype include feminine STEM role models, but their counterstereotypic-yet-feminine success may actually be demotivating, particularly to young girls.
- Study 1 showed that feminineSTEM role models reduced middle school girls? current math interest, self-rated ability, and success expectations relative to gender-neutral STEM role models and depressed future plans to study math among STEM-disidentified girls. These results did not extend to feminine role models displaying general (not STEM-specific) school success, indicating that feminine cues were not driving negative outcomes.
- Study 2 suggested that feminine STEM role models? combination of femininity and success seemed particularly unattainable to STEM-disidentified girls.
The results call for a better understanding of feminine STEM figures aimed at motivating young girls.
In reading this article, I came across a great site for Women in STEM articles. Check out - http://www.scoop.it/t/women-in-stem-women-in-numbers
- Uk's 'your Life' Campaign: Government, Industry, And Universities' Concrete Steps To Recruiting Women In Stem
In early May the UK launched its ?Your Life? campaign, a new STEM initiative focused on spreading the message that science and math are the pathway to a successful and well-paid career*. The initiatives concrete goals are to:Increase the total number...
- Chicken And Egg
I recently heard this story on NPR about why some schools have a higher percentage of girls taking physics than others (the story was also posted on the CSWA facebook page. The study done by Dr. Catherine Riegle-Crumb sought to understand why there is...
- Challenging The Status Quo In Utah
I read an interesting article in the on-line Daily Herald about efforts to attract more women to science and technical fields at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah. The study contains a number of specific and reasonable suggestions for how...
- Aaswomen For June 22, 2012
AAS Committee on the Status of Women Issue of June 22, 2012 eds. Joan Schmelz, Caroline Simpson, and Michele Montgomery This week's issues: 1. Feminine Role Models2. Incivility Among Faculty Members3. Why Women Still Can't Have It All4. Firsts...
- Top 5 Myths About Girls, Math, And Science
LiveScience debunks the top 5 myths about girls, math, and science: The days of sexist science teachers and Barbies chirping that "math class is tough!" are over, according to pop culture, but a government program aimed at bringing more women and girls...