EDUA 5303 Closing the Gender Gap in STEM
CLOSING THE GENDER GAP IN STEM
The gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) is real. Females are less likely to do well on the math sections of college entrance exams, less likely to major in STEM fields, and less likely to take most math and science Advanced Placement exams, among many startling statistics. Divisions between females and males in attitudes toward STEM subjects are seen very early in elementary school and are exacerbated by societal beliefs about the interests and aptitudes of children of different genders.
This course explores the nature of the gender gap in math and science and investigates how it can best be closed. It equips the teacher with specific strategies for helping girls become better learners in STEM subjects and mitigate negative beliefs about their abilities in these fields. Through methods such as differentiating lessons, teaching to girls’ typical learning styles, and working with girls’ strengths, teachers will learn new ways of addressing the gender gap in their classrooms by increasing girls’ confidence, abilities, and performance in STEM fields.