To meet industry job growth demands, there’s been a big push to steer young girls into the science, technology, engineering and math fields in recent years. But new research shows that the years from age 11 to 15 are absolutely crucial when it comes to fostering a young girl’s love of STEM.
Recently, Microsoft surveyed 11,500 young women, ranging in age from 11 to 30, from 12 European countries and found that a young girl’s interest in these critical skills and subjects peaked at age 11 but that interest significantly dwindles by the time they turn 15.
“Conformity to social expectations, gender stereotypes, gender roles and lack of role models continue to channel girls’ career choices away from STEM fields,” psychology professor Martin Bauer of the London School of Economics, told CNN.
The findings come as organizations like the National Girls Collaborative Project recognize March as National Mentoring Month, with a focus on the “importance of role models empowering girls and young women to actively pursue STEM education and careers,” Informal Science said.
And, of the 11,500 females surveyed by Microsoft, it seems most of them are looking for a supportive and successful mentor to show them the ropes. The girls said a lack of a female role model was a key factor as to why they chose not to pursue a career in STEM.
Microsoft wants to offer these girls more “practical, hands-on experience” to help them prosper in what’s often seen as a complex field dominated by men. Less than half of the young women surveyed — 42 percent — said they would seek out a career in STEM.
But research by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said there’s a growing need for more STEM-educated adults to join the workforce. The BLS estimates that from 2010-2020, the number of job openings in science and engineering will grow by 18.7 percent.
“These are skills that experts say Americans must have if they are to compete in a global marketplace. U.S. students typically have middling performance on international assessments gauging math and science ability, as well as problem-solving skills,” The Atlantic reported.
Ultimately, for these young girls, it comes down to gender equality in STEM fields often dominated by men. Sixty percent of the young women surveyed told Microsoft they would “feel more confident pursuing a career in STEM fields if they knew men and women were equally employed in those professions.”
For now, teachers and parents continue to champion a love of STEM education in young girls, offering them firsthand experience in the classroom and at home. If you’re in search of tips about how to encourage and educate the next generation of women in STEM, head on over to Girls, Inc., an organization dedicated to inspiring young women, for useful tips to try at home.
