An action guide to help close the “A career in computing gives you a gender gap chance to build things. Websites, apps, games, graphics … If you can dream it, computer science can help you do it!” in STEM – Alice Steinglass, President, Code.org 1 Careers in science, technology, engineering and The research pointed to five categories for taking math (STEM) and computer science (CS) are critical in action: shaping the world we live in and solving some of its • Provide role models. Girls and young women biggest challenges. Unfortunately, despite the high have a hard time picturing themselves in STEM roles. Introduction priority placed on these subjects in school, only a Seeing women who work in STEM and technology fraction of girls and women are likely to pursue them. helps remind girls they have a place in these fields if By the time they’re in college, for example, 58 percent they want it. of female students believe that jobs that require • Generate excitement. Girls want to be creative programming and coding are “not for them.” As long and have a positive impact on the world. Many as half the population is less than fully represented in don’t realize that STEM and computer science STEM and CS fields, we will miss out on the diverse careers can give them exactly the opportunities perspectives needed to drive innovation and solve they’re looking for! today’s toughest problems. • Provide hands-on experience. Girls who participate in STEM clubs and activities outside The good news is that there are steps we can all take of school are more likely to say they will pursue to help close the gender gap in STEM and CS. STEM subjects later in their education. In addition to increasing access to STEM and CS clubs, we can Microsoft commissioned a survey of over 6,000 girls bring the experiential learning that girls want into and young women and conducted interviews with more classrooms. nonprofit and academic experts. We compiled the findings in an online report — and here we present • Provide encouragement. Girls who feel supported by teachers and parents show more what we learned in a simple guide for teachers, interest in continuing with STEM and CS learning in parents, and education and nonprofit leaders. their future. • Encourage a “growth mindset.” Girls are willing to work hard to succeed. So we need to Closing the STEM gap isn’t create environments where questions, discovery up to the students alone. It’s and even failure are treated as positive parts of the learning process. up to us — to change our behaviors, strategies and When girls are engaged and supported, they’re systems so that these classes excited about the possibilities STEM and CS offer. For more information on closing the gender gap in STEM, and careers reflect the go to microsoft.com/girls-in-stem. diversity in our communities.’ Brad McLain, National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) 2 Acknowledgments Special thanks to the nonprofit and academic experts who contributed to this guide and work every day to close the gender gap in STEM and CS: • Catherine Ashcraft, Director of Research, National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) • Ada Ibe, Regional Manager, Technology Education and Literacy in Schools (TEALS) • Dr. Shalini Kesar, Associate Professor, Southern Utah University • Maria Klawe, President, “You can apply STEM and Harvey Mudd College computer science to all kinds • Ed Lazowska, Computer Science and of careers. By learning those Engineering, University of Washington subjects today, you’re setting yourself up for success in any field.” • Colleen Lewis, Associate Professor, – Ada Ibe, Regional Manager, Harvey Mudd College TEALS (Technology Education • Brad McLain, Researcher, NCWIT and Literacy in Schools) • Reshma Saujani, Founder and CEO, Girls Who Code • Dr. Linda J. Sax, Principal Investigator, BRAID Research (Building, Recruiting, and Inclusion for Diversity), University of California Los Angeles • Alice Steinglass, President, Code.org 3 Girls in STEM: What education and nonprofit leaders can do “When teachers set high expectations for their students The gender gap in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and also provide a great deal of encouragement and and computer science (CS) fields is wide and longstanding. To close it will support, everybody does better.” take practical and cultural shifts in the ways that these subjects are taught and presented. – Maria Klawe President, Harvey Mudd College However, even small shifts can make a big difference. And no school or nonprofit is alone: If you’re committed to helping more girls and young women find a future in STEM, you’ll find yourself in very good company. Provide role models Generate excitement Provide hands-on Provide encouragement Encourage a growth experience mindset • Identify female STEM • Read the research on closing • Support girls who show an professionals who are the STEM gap. • Introduce STEM and interest in STEM. • Coach teachers and group interested in talking to students computer science at an early leaders to support all aspects • Debunk myths about STEM • Ask fellow leaders in your about their work. age. of the learning process — and CS careers with a steady organization what’s being including questions and • During moments celebrated narrative about their creativity • Introduce immersive lessons done to support girls in STEM. even failures. in your school and community and relevance to real-world and learning experiences that By simply asking what your (Pi Day, Earth Day, Women’s problems. all students will love. organization is doing, you • Explore different models for History Month, etc.), ensure could spark a conversation adding computer science to • Share the latest news with women in STEM and computer • Offer STEM clubs and among senior leaders that existing schools and nonprofit science are well represented. your community by signing activities in your district or could result in progress. programs. up for a newsletter or reading organization, and encourage relevant blogs. participation in local • Empower teachers and group • Offer “learn by doing” apps, nonprofits that offer these leaders with STEM and CS games and other tools. • Decorate your facilities activities: professional development. with posters and displays • Reach out to schools and that highlight the creative - Girls Who Code • Provide school counselors organizations that are already possibilities in STEM subjects. - Boys & Girls Club of with info and resources for making headway in closing America supporting girls in CS. the STEM gap. - Girl Scouts in STEM • Propose and encourage field trips to science centers and STEM-related museums. For links and other information about closing the gender gap in STEM, go to microsoft.com/girls-in-stem. 4 Girls in STEM: What teachers can do “One of our biggest goals should be educating Educators are invaluable when it comes to encouraging girls to explore students about the countless ways that STEM science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) knowledge and careers. With hands-on activities and clear connections between STEM knowledge and skills can change the world for subjects and real-world jobs, girls can learn more than the material — the better.” they can embrace the process of learning itself. – Dr. Linda Sax Here are some actions teachers can take to help close the gender gap Principal Investigator, BRAID Research, UCLA in STEM. Provide role models Generate excitement Provide hands-on Provide encouragement Encourage a growth experience mindset • Invite female STEM • Explore the cool and • Read stories about other professionals to visit your class important jobs that people do • Engage students with young people your students • Empower girls to ask or SKYPE with students. with STEM knowledge. experiments and activities can relate to. questions about the material connected to real-world and its relevance to their lives. • Inspire students with videos • Keep an eye out for girls • Point out the ways that problems and situations. and posters featuring female engineering, coding and losing interest in STEM • Show your own growth role models. other STEM careers solve • Teach an Hour of Code in subjects and find out why. mindset! Start a Girls Who challenging problems and your classroom or go deeper. Code club — you don’t need • Find and share articles about • Talk with parents about the improve people’s well-being. to be a techie! women and students who are • Let students know about role of STEM knowledge pursuing STEM. • Find a DigiGirlz Day or take STEM- and computer-related in future careers and the • Let students know they don’t your students to a free clubs, camps and activities importance of support and need to have the right answer • During moments in time workshop at a Microsoft outside of class: encouragement at home. right away. The important celebrated in your school and Store. thing is seeking it out and community (Pi Day, Earth Day, - DigiGirlz Camps • Get your STEM on! Your discovering it! Women’s History Month, etc.), - YouthSpark Camps enthusiasm for the subject ensure women in STEM and matters. - Girls Who Code Clubs • Give girls a goal, like applying computer science are well for a patent for their own represented. • Discover free learning personal invention! activities that teach computer science without a computer. For links and other information about closing the gender gap in STEM, go to microsoft.com/girls-in-stem. 5 Girls in STEM: What parents can do “Be brave. Be innovative. Science and technology are Teachers aren’t the only ones in a position to motivate girls in science, taking on big challenges — and we need girls to help technology, engineering and math (STEM). Research shows that when solve them.” girls are encouraged by both a parent and a teacher, they’re more likely to remain engaged in STEM and see themselves in a STEM career someday.