According to researchers, Morganson, Jones and Major, the “enrollment of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors is disproportionately small and declining” (Morganson, Jones, & Major, 2010, p.169). These researchers conducted a quantitative study to examine social coping with STEM to “explain the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields to provide guidance for career development professionals” (Morganson et al., 2010, p.171). For the methodology of this study, the researchers examined a large quantity of undergraduate students from different ethnic backgrounds (Morganson et al., 2010, p.172).Also for the study, “data was collected via an online survey from all students enrolled in the classes just described. Data collection was cross-sectional and spanned four semesters (Morganson et al., 2010, p.172).” As for measuring the study, the researchers measured social coping, commitment to the major, and course grades (Morganson et al., 2010, p.172). For the results, they proved that women benefited more from social coping then men (Morganson et al., 2010, p.169). Also, the findings indicate that in order to narrow the gender gap in STEM, school counselors need to know that there is a barrier in STEM centered careers and to positively counsel girls about STEM (Morganson et al., 2010, p.176). The article provided a plethora of information on how there’s a shortage of women in STEM, how social coping can aid more women into going into the field
College offers a wide variety of educational aspects. In “Why America’s Obsession with STEM is Dangerous,” Fareed Zakaria explains the issues involving the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) educational system and explains the need for a liberal educational system. Zakaria says we need more creative, innovative, and critical thinkers, which can be achieved through a liberal education. He also says that we need the skills that come with a STEM education, but those can also be achieved through liberal education. A narrow study helps you receive a specific job, but a broad education allows you to explore the economical depths of work. Fareed Zakaria’s essay exemplifies rhetorical strategies and the three means of persuasion
However, of that 48%, only 24% of them are involved in a STEM field. However, statistics are saying now, more than ever, women are pursuing STEM careers. Yet, what happens behind the scenes while earning your degree? My mother has experienced a prime example of exactly what happens when women attempt to pursue a STEM career. She had decided on taking a programming course in college. Long story short, she got to her assigned computer and began to design her screen like the creative woman she is. Her professor walked up to her found it unrighteous to have her computer screen pink when everyone else's where "manly" colors. He suggested that she goes to the counselor to change courses since technology was "manly" thing. Sadly, she listened along with many other women. I say that because "...nearly a third of women in science, engineering and technology (S.E.T.) fields say they are likely to quit within a year," (Sherbin, ...Bias in Their Labs). It's unfortunate that women all over feel that they are not worthy because of their gender or their lack of "manliness." STEM fields aren't a manly thing, they need to be identified as gender neutral profession, as every profession should
With the emergence of technology the United States has invested heavily in STEM, the academic disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and math, as they are known to be the vehicle that continues to expand the economy with constant innovation. By gearing the nation to revolve their educational system on these four principles the United States is attempting to maintain its global leadership and competitive position as it is widely believed that U.S. students are consistently falling behind their contemporaries from other developed nations. A series of three reports published in 2005 argued that the alarming decline of STEM related graduates in the United States and its loosening grip as the world’s nucleus for scientific innovation.
51 percent of the United States is female but only 34.4 percent of doctors are women. While 90.4 percent of nurses are female (“Women in Medicine”; “Male Nurses Becoming”), the women who do become doctors earn an astounding 25 percent less than their male counterparts (Groves). These staggering figures are only a single piece in the larger overall lack of women in STEM, or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, which has remained prevalent since the beginning of these fields. Although women are underrepresented in these STEM fields, this is not due to ineptitude, but instead it is a result of the force of societal stereotypes coupled with their wider range of abilities. The recent increase in women’s association with STEM seems
In a speech in February 2013 President Barak Obama said, “One of the things that I really strongly believe in is that we need to have more girls interested in math, science, and engineering. We’ve got half the population that is way underrepresented in those fields and that means that we’ve got a whole bunch of talent…not being encouraged the way they need to.” It been three years since President Obama has made that statement and the underrepresentation of women in science, technology, engineering and math as known as STEM majors is still a big problem today. The STEM workforce is crucial to Americas global competitiveness and groundbreaking capability. The people who work in the STEM field make up nearly half of the United
Some implications of this study are that women- only STEM programs can benefit women in general, but minorities in particular, and these kinds of programs should be studied and implemented to assure that women will get the help they need to succeed. The question that this study leaves unanswered, that Rosenthal, L., London, B., & Levy, S.R. (2011) answer, is: What explains this sense of belonging that women feel?
Toglia, research suggests that “lack of influence develop early in childhoods which are results of factors such as socioeconomic status, parent’s occupations, education levels, and parental expectations” (Toglia, 2013). The lack of support from the students’ parents, accessibility to resources, and technology are factors that may cause the discouragement of students from passing the assessments for certifications. By collaborating, the counselors and teachers can identify the students who are affected the most The data set states that 58% of males in the CTE department at Open Air High School are passing the assessments required for licensure or certification. The counselors and CTE educators should concentrate their efforts on the barriers that the female students face within the CTE department and why the female students aren’t passing the assessments for licensure. Hamilton, Malin and Hackmann states that there are several factors that contribute to female under-participation within STEM/CTE related fields which includes lack of self-confidence, loss of interest in science and math during middle school, insufficient exposure to nontraditional occupations and role models, gender-biased career guidance practice/published
Reyes summarizes the reasons why community college students from certain racial backgrounds struggle to get into STEM programs. African-American women, Hispanic women, and other women from similar backgrounds, in particular, drop out of STEM programs, citing reasons such as personal obligations and money issues. Minority women who pursue STEM degrees face hurdles other women simply do not. These include but are not limited to: a shortage of money, struggles adjusting to another college, and other obligations. In addition, individuals within the university do not believe in minority women as strongly as they believe in other students. There are many Caucasians in STEM programs, and some students from dissimilar backgrounds may not get the opportunity
While this bill undoubtedly aligned with the mission and purpose of women’s colleges, there remains an unbalanced amount of representation of women in STEM programs and careers. “Globally, women remain particularly behind in participation at elite institutions and in traditional ‘male’ fields of study including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM” (Renn, 2014, p. 3). While the very existence of women’s colleges asserts their right to belong within realms of higher education, the work towards equity and inclusion must take place in all facets of life. “Even where women outnumber men in undergraduate enrollments and enjoy full access to higher education, women’s institutions act symbolically to remind society that in many other domains of public and private life, gender equality remains elusive” (Renn, 2014, p. 125).
In America today controversy is on the rise about the desperate need for more STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) workers. Many researchers have argued that STEM jobs need to be filled with more graduates that have liberal arts backgrounds. Alternatively other professionals argue that there isn’t really a shortage at all but instead a lack of STEM talent in specific areas. Educators need to encourage more students to choose majors in STEM fields. The president’s council of advisors on science and technology makes a very valid point. Over the next decade if the country were to retain its historical preeminence in science and technology, the U.S. will need to produce approximately 1 million more STEM workers. Some argue that the need to graduate more workers for STEM areas, while others admit that there is a need for more student majoring in STEM fields but also that we need more diverse students with liberal arts backgrounds. Along with more gender based diversity.
This report navigates the current state of STEM demographic in the country. It examines the reasons why there are less females undertaking STEM majors and gives recommendations on the problems. A brief history on STEM is outlined and the discussion follows with in depth analysis on the subject. STEM is a very critical education discipline with an importance in the economy of the country. Much as it is important, few students choose a career path in STEM. Although, there are more than 50% female students in Colleges and Universities, 12% take STEM related course. Why is this? This report is a compilation of empirical data collected in journals on the same subject explaining
Today’s college students have the opportunity and freedom to choose their major and their career path. Many factors influence the decision of a college student’s career paths including background, general interests, personal strengths, time commitment, and job outlook. Although many important decisions are made in college, one of the most important is the choice of major and career track. Out of hundreds of majors the science and engineering fields are under-represented by women. Although the numbers of women in science technology, engineering, and mathematics, STEM, majors has been increasing in the past years, women still are in the minority in the STEM fields. In her study, Lona Whitmarsh
This week’s articles and podcast really resonated with me because they explained they explained the struggles of transitioning from adolescent years to young adult years and the challenges that each individual may face. I attended a STEM school for middle school. The school was made up with significantly more male students than female students. Adam’s article discussed the importance of Out of School Time (OST) STEM programs and how they motivated female students’ interest and identities in areas of science. Even though I did not attend an OST, I felt like my STEM education influence my high school track and the universities I applied to and what I decided to major in. I have always had an interest in science and when I attended a school’s whose main focus was promoting STEM, I was able to get better at science and be more confident in my understanding and abilities. When I got to high school, I was able to take more advanced science classes and I was able to make friends who had similar interests. Since I had a program that fostered an interest and help me be successful in the area of science, I went on to major in Speech, Language,
Mind Over Matter Consulting presents STEM Navigators. This book is a collection of stories from six, successful engineers, educators, entrepreneurs, and high tech talent united to showcase their journey, obtaining degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Institutions of higher learning encounter students entering introductory courses without fundamental competencies; decreased enrollment in STEM majors; low retention rates. Consequently, these barriers impact student confidence and performance. STEM Navigators presents intervention strategies, resources, and personal advice to direct student success in STEM. Gain insight to define your path in
Interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is thinning for women as they progress into higher levels. Women in grades 7-12 were surveyed to see if their interest in STEM fields were diminishing. According to Van Leuvan, this survey showed that there was a decline in interest as these girls progress through high school. Throughout middle school and junior high a love for mathematics can be developed. However, a loss of interest is present as soon as girls hit more demanding classes like calculus. Grades will highly diminished and a fear for comprehension of mathematics in the future will develope. According to the article “Women and Minorities in Engineering” a major outlook on success from students is their ability to understand calculus.