EDSC 509 - Closing the Gender Gap in STEM (3)

The gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) is real. Females are less likely to do well on the math sections of college entrance exams, less likely to major in STEM fields, and less likely to take most math and science Advanced Placement exams, among many other startling statistics. Divisions between females and males in attitudes toward STEM subjects appear very early in elementary school and are exacerbated by societal beliefs about the interests and aptitudes of children of different genders.

In this course, you will explore the nature of the gender gap in math and science and how you can help to close it. You’ll learn specific strategies for helping girls become better learners in STEM subjects and mitigate negative beliefs about their abilities in these fields. Through methods such as differentiating lessons, teaching to girls’ typical learning styles, and working with girls’ strengths, you will cultivate new methods of addressing the gender gap in your classroom by increasing girls’ confidence, abilities, and performance in STEM fields.

Using the techniques from this course, you will be able to empower your female students to take a deeper interest in STEM subjects and pursue further education and careers in these important fields.