STEMinism campaign to address STEM gender gap

Teach First has launched a new campaign called STEMinism, calling for change to address gender gaps across science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) careers. It also seeks to explore how to encourage more girls to continue these subjects beyond GCSE.

This comes as the charity reveals that not a single woman’s name features in the national curriculum for GCSE science. Additionally, in an analysis of three double science GCSE specifications from the major exam boards, only Rosalind Franklin and Mary Leakey are mentioned. This is compared to over 40 male scientists – or concepts and materials named after them.

In a new report 'Missing elements - Why ‘STEMinism’ matters in the classroom and beyond', the charity argues this has resulted in pioneering scientists such as Marie Curie being absent from public consciousness. This is supported by a poll, commissioned by Teach First, that found only half of British adults (49%) can name a female scientist, dead or alive.

Teach First argues that a lack of visible role models for girls in the curriculum has exacerbated existing gender-biases, which lead to less girls choosing to study STEM subjects beyond GCSE. The charity has also revealed the problem is even greater for girls from disadvantaged backgrounds, who are seven times less likely to choose A-level physics than a boy from a non-disadvantaged background.

The charity is also delighted to announce its partnership with children’s author and broadcaster Konnie Huq as an Ambassador for their STEMinism campaign through a new video. This comes as she launches the paperback edition of her critically acclaimed children’s book, Cookie! and the Most Annoying Boy in the World [Piccadilly Press], about a nine-year-old girl and her love of science.
Konnie Huq said:

“It’s really disappointing to see trailblazing female scientists, who have changed the world with their pioneering discoveries being overlooked in schools and in the public eye. By not celebrating these incredible individuals we’re unconsciously showing girls that STEM isn’t for them. This simply isn’t good enough.

“That’s why I’m proud to support Teach First’s STEMinism campaign. It’s time to get more inspirational female role models into classrooms and celebrate schools who support girls to continue their interests in STEM subjects. Let’s break down those archaic gender barriers and create a country where every girl can achieve anything she puts her mind to.”

The charity is calling for the extension of the 2019 curriculum fund, specifically targeted to develop resources to help schools include more women in STEM teaching. Distributing to all schools would give easier access to high-quality materials that support the content of the national curriculum and showcase examples of successful women in STEM.

It wants to Incentivise more STEMinists to take up the challenge of teaching in the schools where they’re needed most through pay premiums. Every school in the country should have access to high-quality, well-supported STEM teachers and role models. If we don’t solve the challenge of teacher shortages, we face a circular problem of generations of young people not gaining the skills they need.

They also want the roll-out of schemes that reward schools for increasing inclusion in STEM subjects, such as Gender Action Award.