What Matters to Girls in STEM

Margaret EisenhartSchool of Education

University of Colorado Boulder

1. Provide Information about Possibilities in STEM

– Need for more people and more diverse people in STEM, especially engineering and information technology

– STEM jobs are good jobs

– STEM jobs are available jobs

2. Encourage Extensive Exploration of STEM

– Girls need to know about the range and variety in STEM.

– Girls need to see STEM as exciting and cutting-edge.

– Girls need to know that work in STEM “helps people.”

3. Encourage STEM in Girls’ Friendship Groups

– Have girls do STEM together in fun activities with their friends

– Girls’ friendship groups can counter the stereotyping pressures of youth culture

4. Provide On-going, Consistent Parental Support for Girls in STEM

– Social pressures make STEM a hard sell to girls; be consistently supportive

– Fathers’ or adult males’ support especially important for girls in STEM

5. Support Transition from High School to College

6. Support Transition to Work and Family

Be alert for last-minute decisions against STEM at these junctures.