WEBVTT

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[Music] Welcome to the overview on
Female Role Models in Math and Science.

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Maria's struggling with
a tough decision.

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She can't decide whether or not
to take AP Physics next year.

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She's always loved science,
but she knows that most

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of her friends aren't taking
this challenging class.

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In fact, she's afraid she'll
be the only girl in the class,

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and that the she won't be
able to keep-up with the boys.

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Luckily, Maria has a science teacher
who understands her concerns,

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and she got Maria to enroll in a
college physics program over the summer.

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The program not only helped deepen
her understanding of physics,

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but it also allowed her to meet other
young women interested in science.

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As a result, Maria was able to
overcome the "stereotype threat"

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that girls often face
in math and science.

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When girls feel inadequate
because of their gender,

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it's called a "stereotype threat."

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Stereotype threat is the fear that
one's behavior will confirm an existing

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stereotype of a group with
which a person identifies--

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potentially impairing
performance in a particular area.

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In other words, if a girl believes
that other people don't expect her

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to do well, she tends to perform poorly.

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She grows distracted, has
narrowed attention, becomes anxious

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and self-conscious, and
puts forth less effort--

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choosing to solve less
challenging problems.

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As a result, many girls
avoid situations that seem

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to confirm negative gender stereotypes.

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For instance, in high school they
may steer clear of rigorous math

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and science courses-- making them
less likely to attend college

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and develop careers in science,
technology, and engineering.

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Role models are vital to mitigating
the effects of stereotype threat--

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especially in math and science.

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Often times, it only takes
a single positive role model

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to make a difference in
a girl's academic life.

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And the more a role model
defies stereotypes,

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the more powerful the impact on
student perception and performance.

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When girls stop believing in gender
stereotypes like "girls aren't good

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at math" or "science is for boys,"
they are less likely to struggle

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with their self-confidence
or have negative thoughts

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when being tested in these subjects.

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For example, girls tend to perform
as well as boys on math tests

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when the test is administered by a
woman who they know is skilled in math.

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Just having a woman in charge who's
clearly mastered the material,

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provides girls with a
positive role model--

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countering the effect of
stereotype threat during tests.

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There are a number of strategies
teachers can use to introduce students

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to female role models
in math and science.

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First, teachers can invite
successful women to be guest speakers.

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This may include high school or
college students who are doing well

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in advanced courses or women who have
successful careers in math and science.

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Teachers can also arrange field trips

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to visit female role
models in the workplace.

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Helping girls better
visualize how women work

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in a particular environment may have
a powerful impact on girls' beliefs.

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Teachers should also encourage
students to participate

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in after-school activities
and special events

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where girls can meet female role models.

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These may include conferences,
discussion panels,

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university outreach programs,
and summer camps.

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Mentoring is another powerful
strategy allowing students

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to have ongoing contact
with role models.

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Mentors can be college students,
professionals in the field,

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or even retirees, and they
usually provide support as part

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of after-school programs or internships.

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Teachers can have students read
biographies of female scientists,

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mathematicians, and engineers as well--
using class discussions and projects

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to explore how these women got
interested in math and science,

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how they fulfilled their dreams,
and the contributions they made.

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Be sure to look at contemporary
figures as well as historical ones.

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It's also important for teachers to talk
about the increasing number of women

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in math and science careers.

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Using data from groups like the
National Science Foundation,

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teachers can show how more and more
women receive advanced degrees in math

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and science-related fields every year.

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Finally, educators should encourage
parents to take an active role

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by helping their children connect with
positive role models, find mentors,

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and explore career options.

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Obviously, there are many ways to use
female role models in math and science,

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so teachers should select strategies

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that best meet the unique
needs of their students.

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Here are a few key points
teachers should emphasize

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when using role models...

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First, everybody struggles.

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Even famous role models who
accomplish great things struggle,

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but they find ways to persevere
through difficult challenges.

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It's their passion for the
subject that allows them to put

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in the hard work necessary to overcome
their struggles and finally succeed.

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Finding common ground between students
and role models is also important.

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Look for details in the lives
of role models that relate

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to what students are going through.

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For example, did the role model
struggle with certain types

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of math when she was young?

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Did she come from a similar
background as your students?

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The more points of connection you
can find, the more likely it is

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that students will see
themselves in the role model.

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Also remember that the teacher
is the most immediate role model

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and mentor for a student.

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Teachers should take time out to share
their own personal experiences in math

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and science-- especially how they
overcame specific challenges.

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Lastly, teachers need to send clear,
consistent messages to students,

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letting them know that boys and girls
are equally capable in math and science.

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Simple messages such as, "everything
I've read and seen tells me that each

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of you can do well on this test," can
remarkably reduce stereotype threat.

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Educators at all levels can mitigate
stereotype threat by exposing girls

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to female role models
in math and science--

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helping them realize that they
are just as capable as boys

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and that they too can lead
successful careers in these fields.

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To learn more about introducing
students to female role models,

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please explore the additional resources
on the Doing What Works website.

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[Music]