Gender on STEM education

Workshop

2nd Scientix ConferenceBrussels 26 Oct 2014

Chiara Tripepi Jukka Rahkonen

Gender on STEM education

• What is gender equality?

• Group work 1: Do you have gender stereotypes?

• Group work 2: Challenge your stereotypes and create tips to motivate both boys and girls!

• Voting the best tips!

• Prizes

Intro on gender equality

• Gender refers to cultural and social attitudes thattogether shape and sanction 'feminine' and'masculine' behaviours, products, technologies,environments, and knowledge.

• 'Gender equality is the result of the absence ofdiscrimination on the basis of a person’s sex, inopportunities and in the allocation of resources orbenefits or in access to services'. (EuropeanCommission’s Strategy for Equality between Menand Women - 2010-2015).

In 2012 in the EU 46% PhD holderswere women, but they only

represented 33% of researchers

Women continue to be under-represented in research

What is the campaign?

The overall goal of the campaign is to attract more young women to research careers in order

to increase the total number of researchers in Europe.

Designed for girls 13-18, it encourages them to study science!

What are stereotypes?

• Literally means 'rigid impression' or 'solid image'.

• Defined as 'widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a type of person or thing’.

• Research has shown that science learning is a typical domain where pupils as well as teachers can be influenced by stereotypes!

How can we change our stereotypes?

'We all harbour unconscious assumptions and prejudices about the roles and capabilities of men and women. You can change perceptions by raising awareness of unconscious assumptions and by challenging traditional stereotypes in your practices'.

TWIST handbook, 'Towards gender equality in science'

Group work 1: Do you have gender stereotypes?

• In small groups discuss about the question:

–Do you have gender stereotypes? Which are they?

• Prepare to present a brief conclusion to the other groups.

Challenge your stereotypes and motivate both boys and girls!

“It is time to challenge gender stereotypes, and ensure that both girls and boys are given the same opportunity to become passionate about science.”

Group work 2: Tips to motivate both boys and girls!

Reflect on the following 12 tips and create two

– totally new tips or

– suggestions to improve them

to motivate both boys and girls to become passionate about science!

Tips for motivating girls and boys to become passionate about science

1. Talk to other teachers about potential gender bias and gendered practices in your teaching. Often gender bias is unconscious. Such discussions will raise your awareness of gender equality and help you to reduce gender bias in the classroom.

2. Take gender into account when planning your lessons. 3. Is science too abstract? Work with your students to discover how

science is part of everyday life. 4. Find time to reflect on gender stereotypes with your students. 5. Organise activities to challenge girls’ and boys’ perceptions of

science, including linking up with science role models of both genders.

6. Broaden students’ horizons beyond traditional views of science careers. Support your students in their favourite subjects, regardless of gender.

Tips for motivating girls and boys to become passionate about science

7. When organising activities with science centres and museums, make sure that girls and boys have equal access and participate equally.

8. Create an atmosphere where questioning is encouraged. 'Trial and error' is part of science and contributes to successful learning!

9. Be conscious of gender in language. Use gender-neutral language as much as possible. When you talk about people use feminine and masculine nouns and pronouns.

10. As learning is also visual, ensure that materials include non- stereotypical images and are gender balanced.

11. Maintain the same expectations for both girls and boys. 12. Use various teaching methods to make sure that different

kinds of learners will benefit from your teaching.

Thanks and goodbye!

Chiara Tripepi

Policy Officer

European Commission

RTD-WIRI@ec.europa.eu

Jukka Rahkonen, M.Sc.

Scientix Ambassador for Finland

Curriculum designer and consultant

Science teacher, Lecturer

rahkoju@gmail.com