Workshop from the 2nd Scientix Conference, 24-26 Ocotober 2014, Brussels, Belgium

1. Gender on STEM education
Workshop
2nd Scientix Conference
Brussels 26 Oct 2014
Chiara Tripepi Jukka Rahkonen

2. Gender on STEM education
• What is gender equality?
• Group work 1: Do you have gender
stereotypes?
• Group work 2: Challenge your stereotypes and
create tips to motivate both boys and girls!
• Voting the best tips!
• Prizes 

3. Intro on gender equality
• Gender refers to cultural and social attitudes that
together shape and sanction 'feminine' and
'masculine' behaviours, products, technologies,
environments, and knowledge.
• 'Gender equality is the result of the absence of
discrimination on the basis of a person’s sex, in
opportunities and in the allocation of resources or
benefits or in access to services'. (European
Commission’s Strategy for Equality between Men
and Women - 2010-2015).

4. In 2012 in the EU 46% PhD holders
were women, but they only
represented 33% of researchers
Women continue to be under-represented
in research 

5. What is the campaign?
The overall goal of the campaign is to attract
more young women to research careers in order
to increase the total number of researchers in
Europe.
Designed for girls 13-18, it encourages them to
study science!

6. What are stereotypes?
• Literally means 'rigid impression' or 'solid
image'.
• Defined as 'widely held but fixed and
oversimplified image or idea of a type of
person or thing’.
• Research has shown that science learning is a
typical domain where pupils as well as
teachers can be influenced by stereotypes!

7. How can we change our stereotypes?
'We all harbour unconscious assumptions and
prejudices about the roles and capabilities of
men and women. You can change perceptions
by raising awareness of unconscious
assumptions and by challenging traditional
stereotypes in your practices'.
TWIST handbook, 'Towards gender equality in science'

8. Group work 1: Do you have gender
stereotypes?
• In small groups discuss about the question:
– Do you have gender stereotypes? Which
are they?
• Prepare to present a brief conclusion to the
other groups.

9. Challenge your stereotypes and
motivate both boys and girls!
“It is time to challenge gender stereotypes, and
ensure that both girls and boys are given the
same opportunity to become passionate about
science.”

10. Group work 2: Tips to motivate
both boys and girls!
Reflect on the following 12 tips and create two
– totally new tips or
– suggestions to improve them
to motivate both boys and girls to become
passionate about science!

11. Tips for motivating girls and boys to
become passionate about science
1. Talk to other teachers about potential gender bias and gendered
practices in your teaching. Often gender bias is unconscious. Such
discussions will raise your awareness of gender equality and help
you to reduce gender bias in the classroom.
2. Take gender into account when planning your lessons.
3. Is science too abstract? Work with your students to discover how
science is part of everyday life.
4. Find time to reflect on gender stereotypes with your students.
5. Organise activities to challenge girls’ and boys’ perceptions of
science, including linking up with science role models of both
genders.
6. Broaden students’ horizons beyond traditional views of science
careers. Support your students in their favourite subjects,
regardless of gender.

12. Tips for motivating girls and boys to
become passionate about science
7. When organising activities with science centres and
museums, make sure that girls and boys have equal access
and participate equally.
8. Create an atmosphere where questioning is encouraged.
'Trial and error' is part of science and contributes to
successful learning!
9. Be conscious of gender in language. Use gender-neutral
language as much as possible. When you talk about
people use feminine and masculine nouns and pronouns.
10. As learning is also visual, ensure that materials include
non- stereotypical images and are gender balanced.
11. Maintain the same expectations for both girls and boys.
12. Use various teaching methods to make sure that different
kinds of learners will benefit from your teaching.

13. Thanks and goodbye! 
Chiara Tripepi
Policy Officer
European Commission
RTD-WIRI@ec.europa.eu
Jukka Rahkonen, M.Sc.
Scientix Ambassador for Finland
Curriculum designer and consultant
Science teacher, Lecturer
rahkoju@gmail.com