Science Facts #1

Hi everyone, I will be starting a new series called: Science Facts! Every now and then, I will be posting about unique science news so that viewers can stay relevant with recent discoveries or research conducted.

For this week:

What do you think is the most crucial year for a girl in STEM's life? 10 years old? 20?

More like 16.

This is the key year that girls do their exams, and unsurprisingly historically have done as well boys, for example in IGCSE Computer Science. Despite 3/4 of the candidates of IGCSE taking STEM courses, there is quite a drop in the number of women taking STEM courses in IGCSE.

It is understandable that when one does well and thrives in a subject they are more likely to opt for STEM careers or choose a STEM subject in their educational journey. This begs the question: how do we get girls into these subejcts? The answer: Role models. From any age, if a girl in STEM is encouraged by a teacher or parent.

Additionally, there has been an increase in hiring women and promoting diverse female representation in science on television and media too, which is reassuring for the future as this problem is targetting globally.

Sources:

Coombe, Andrew r. “Sixteen Is the Crucial Age to Encourage Young Women to Pursue STEM | Editorial | Relocate Magazine.” Relocate Global, Relocate Magazine, 12 Apr. 2021, www.relocatemagazine.com/articles/expats-partner-and-family-support-sixteen-is-the-crucial-age-to-encourage-young-women-to-pursue-stem-0421.