Why STEMinism matters
Careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) are dominated by men. Only 12% of engineers are female and just 13% of STEM workers at management level are women. This is despite girls performing just as well as - or better than - boys across these subjects at school.
So why aren't more girls pursuing careers in STEM?
We believe that a lack of representation (whether in textbooks or in front of the whiteboard) has damaging effects on gender-bias, leading to less girls taking these subjects further.
The figures
Our report contains startling statistics about the STEM gender gap, spurring our decision to campaign for change:
- No woman's name appears in the national curriculum for GCSE science.
- Only half of British adults can name a female scientist, meaning trailblazing figures like Marie Curie are absent from public consciousness.
- Girls from disadvantaged backgrounds are seven times less likely to choose A-level physics than boys from non-disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Shortages in STEM skills cost businesses £1.5 billion a year. Yet with so few girls studying STEM subjects beyond GCSEs, we're robbing ourselves of potential talent.
Konnie Huq, broadcaster, children's author and Teach First STEMinism ambassador
There are inherent biases that discourage girls from studying STEM subjects... we need more positive female role models and science teachers to encourage change.
Our calls to action
We want urgent action to make sure every child - whatever their background or gender - has the same chance to unlock their potential. We believe we can achieve this by:
- the extension of the 2019 curriculum fund, specifically targeted to develop resources to help schools include more women in STEM teaching
- incentivising more STEMinists to take up the challenge of teaching in schools where they're needed most, through pay premiums
- rolling out schemes that reward schools for increasing inclusion in STEM subjects, such as the Gender Action Award
Our STEM programmes
Help inspire the next generation of women in STEM by teaching one of these subjects on our Training Programme:
Alternatively, try out teaching on our two-day STEM Talent Taster Programme.
Ask anyone to draw a scientist, and they'll probably draw a man... As a teacher, I want every child to see themselves in STEM subjects, and love the opportunities they provide - whatever their gender.
