How Schools, Parents, Families, and Policymakers Can Encourage More Girls to Get Into STEM
By Esther Oluwaremilekun Odekunle, Nigeria
STEM — the acronym that refers to the school subject areas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics — is not a new term in education. These are subjects that help prepare students to become innovators, scientists, and creative problem solvers in the world today. Empowering students with this knowledge will help us work together toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development goals.
However, according to World Bank data, the rate of female graduates in STEM is lower than that of males. Globally, 18% of girls in tertiary education are pursuing STEM compared to 35% of boys and many girls around the world today do not have access to STEM education in high school. Given that the future of education places a high value on technology, it is important that every child has equal access to quality STEM education and the opportunities it brings.
In my community, only three out of every 20 students are confident users of technology due to a lack of access to quality, science-oriented learning. Balikis, Isaac, and I understand the significance of science and technology for all students and how it can help us uncover our potential as problem-solvers in the world. As a result, we have decided to develop an innovative solution to this issue.
Mr. Afeez Saka, our teacher, equipped us with design thinking skills during a ‘Skill2Rural’ boot camp organized in our community. During the event, we learned how to identify and address community-based problems, and developed a solution aimed at enhancing digital skills and access to STEM education in our community. After designing a solution, we partnered with the school, NGOs, and community stakeholders to establish the Community Tech Lab. We organized 70 days of training on digital and tech skills for students in my community. The Community Tech Lab fellowship enrolled and empowered 70% girls and 30% boys. My team and I proposed to do this to create more awareness about the impact of technology and help other female children in rural communities see how bright their future would be if they do not allow gender stereotypes to limit their opportunities.
STEM education is very important in the 21st century and it gives children a dream for the future workforce. A graduate without digital and technology skills might find it challenging to be relevant in the future. However, every stakeholder in the education sector has a role to play.
Schools can play their role by creating more awareness about the importance of STEM through career and counseling programs. Female students should be aware that opportunities in STEM are for both genders. A girl can also become a robotic engineer, and cyber security expert, lead innovations and inspire the world. In addition, teachers should be empowered with the right knowledge and skills to teach science and technology in school effectively. I believe that more female students will learn and be inspired if they have access to resources and a safe environment that would support their dreams. Schools can also hire female STEM teachers who will also serve as role models and create mentorship opportunities for young girls through STEM-related activities.
Parents and families should avoid stereotyping female children. They should encourage all girls who are interested in becoming engineers or scientists to study the course of their choice. It is common in some homes and families that parents decide not to support the education of their female children beyond a particular level because they believe that a female career will end in the kitchen. There is a need to help parents understand that this is not helping their female children. It is harming their self-esteem. They should research females in STEM and their impact on the world. This will inspire more women and girls to find careers in STEM.
Policymakers have a larger role to play in this. They should make and implement policies that encourage both genders to have access to equal opportunities to learn and explore skills and knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. They should also support initiatives that fund opportunities for women and girls in tech, through scholarships and ways that show inclusiveness in their policies.
In conclusion, it is important that all stakeholders must collaborate to ensure that women and girls are encouraged and supported in STEM-related courses for inclusive education and career opportunities.
