Exposure to inspirational and relatable role models is crucial towards fostering engagement of learners with scientific disciplines. However, the representation of scientists in popular culture is still far from being adequately gender- and race-inclusive. This study evaluated the gender balance and impact of scientific role models using a…

This article synthesizes sociopsychological theories and empirical research to establish a framework for exploring causal pathways and targeted interventions for the low representation of women in post-secondary physics. The rationale for this article is based upon disproportionate representation among undergraduate physics majors in the United…

The fields of engineering, computer science, and physics have a paucity of women despite decades of intervention by universities and organizations. Women's graduation rates in these fields continue to stagnate, posing a critical problem for society. This qualitative grounded theory (GT) study sought to understand how robotics programs influenced…

Hispanics are one of the largest and fastest-growing minority groups in the United States. Projections indicate a need for an increase of 20% of practicing engineers by 2010. Despite the growing number of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers in the American economy, education statistics suggest that too few Hispanic students…

School science textbooks and reference books used in New Zealand were examined to investigate the types and number of roles assigned to males and females and the place of men and women in the world as implied in science textbooks. Data recorded included the number of different types of roles and activities assigned to each sex, number of times…

Over the past years, a large body of scholarly literature has developed to address gender inequity in the developed world, and suggestions for reducing the gender gap are well documented in the literature. However, still lacking in research is why there is gender inequity in mathematics and science education in African schools. Girls are not…

Lack of women participating in physics programs/study from introductory high school courses through doctoral programs is addressed. Attitudes developed by perceiving science as masculine and lack of female role models are cited as two causative factors. Recommendations for improvement at classroom, science department, secondary, primary, and…

Though women constitute 53% of students graduating annually from provincially assisted Ontario universities with bachelors and first professional degrees, they tend to remain concentrated in fields more conventionally dominated by females, and their representation in traditionally male disciplines (engineering, applied science, mathematics, and…

This brochure, one in a series of four, is designed to assist parents encourage their daughters efforts related to mathematics and science. Addressing the parents in a personal manner, six sections give parents suggestions on how this can be accomplished. The first section emphasizes to parents the importance of mathematics and science in possible…