Misconceptions about boys, girls and science

The time when teachers stereotyped that " hard math " was over, but there were still other persistent mistakes about girls and science. According to the National Science Research and Engineering Research of the National Science Association, the following are common misconceptions.

Wukong 1: From the start of school, most girls do not like science with boys.

Girls also love science if they are oriented correctly.(Photo: jupiterimages)

Reality: In elementary school, the number of girls and boys who have a positive attitude towards natural sciences is the same. A recent study in grade 4 children showed that 66% of girls and 68% of boys liked this subject. But the difference started to appear also began in the elementary stage. In the second grade, when asked to paint a scientist, most portraits they sketched were a white coat in the lab.

Any female scientist they drew looked serious and very unhappy. This stereotypical view has turned off the excitement in girls, and by the 8th grade the number of boys who love jobs related to natural science (science, technology, mechanics, mathematics) has doubled. girls

The wear and tear of this belief continued throughout high school, college and even at work. Women who work in those fields with advanced degrees are still at risk of losing their jobs twice as much as men with equivalent qualifications.

Enlightenment 2: School interventions to increase girls' interest in natural science will reduce the interest of boys.

Reality: Stimulating the interest of girls also increases that passion of the other class. When the girls were shown pictures of female scientists and encouraged that they could become like that, boys also received this message "I can do that".

Wukong 3: Math and science teachers do not favor male students.

Reality: Prejudice still exists, and teachers often talk to boys more than girls in these two subjects. Teachers will often help a boy do an experiment by explaining it, while if a girl asks for similar help, only see the teacher, not do it herself.

Wukong 4: When girls don't show interest in science, parents can't do much to motivate them.

Reality: The support of parents, as well as teachers, is crucial in creating girls' love for science, technology, mechanics and mathematics. Show girls that there are lots of careers in this area they can do and the connection to social work will help girls love this job more. Parents and teachers also need to tell young people what they need to do to be able to enter the field of science.

T. An