Presentation on "How to inspire both girls and boys to study math and science" - Scientix 7th SPWatFCL Brussels 19-21 June 2015

1. Gender in STEM education
7th Science Projects Workshop in the Future Classroom Lab
Brussels 20 Jun 2015
Jukka Rahkonen

2. Gender in STEM education
• Students’ interest in STEM in Europe
• What is gender equality?

3. Workshop: How to inspire both girls
and boys to study math and science?
• 14.30 – 15.15 (Large meeting room)
• Group work 1: Do you have gender
stereotypes?
• Group work 2: Challenge your stereotypes and
create tips to motivate both boys and girls!

4. “If students don’t find STEM more interesting
at school,
we won’t be able
to get enough qualified professionals to work
for our industrial and technology companies
in Europe
in the future.”

5. STEM in Europe
• The number of science enrolments and
graduates in Europe has been slowing down
from 24.3% in 2002 to 22.6% in 2011
(Eurostat).
• China has more than quadrupled its number
of STEM graduates since 2000 to nearly 2
million in 2006!!
(www.ingenious-science.eu)

6. STEM in Europe
• More than half the EU 27 countries have
below average PISA scores in maths and
science (OECD, 2009).
• Three global surveys (Rose, Pisa, Timss)
indicate that 13-15 year olds in developed
nations do not place a high value on science
and technology: they do not think these are
important for their career.
(www.ingenious-science.eu)

7. Is there a difference
between boys and girls about
how interesting they find
science and technology?

8. Student interest in science and technology topics
by region and gender (secondary survey)
InGenious Final Evaluation Report Submitted version 291014

9. What is gender equality?

10. '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)

11. In 2012:
• Women represented 46% of the PhD graduates in
the EU. However, women only represented 33%
of researchers.
• Only 20% of top level academics were women.
• Just one in every ten universities in the European
Union had a female rector.
• The under representation of women in research
is both unfair and bad for economic growth.
(science-girl-thing.eu)

12. What are stereotypes?
• Research has shown that science learning is a
typical domain where pupils as well as
teachers can be influenced by 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’.

13. 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'

14. Workshop: How to inspire both girls
and boys to study math and science?
• 14.30 – 15.15 (Large meeting room)
• Group work 1: Do you have gender
stereotypes?
• Group work 2: Challenge your stereotypes and
create tips to motivate both boys and girls!

15. Thank you for your time! 
Jukka Rahkonen, M.Sc.
Scientix Ambassador for Finland
Curriculum designer and consultant
Teacher trainer
Science teacher, Lecturer
rahkoju@gmail.com

16. 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.

17. It is time to challenge
our gender stereotypes,
and to make sure
that we give the same opportunity
to both girls and boys
to become passionate about science!

18. Group work 2: Tips to motivate
both boys and girls!
• In small groups:
- Create tips to motivate both boys and girls
to become passionate about science!
- Tips should be very practical and to be used
in a classroom.
• Write your tips down and prepare to present
them.

19. Thanks and goodbye! 
Jukka Rahkonen, M.Sc.
Scientix Ambassador for Finland
Curriculum designer and consultant
Teacher trainer
Science teacher, Lecturer
rahkoju@gmail.com