STEM pipeline: Tapping hidden reserves

The demand and supply of STEM jobs can be balanced if we remove biases that discourage girls to consider STEM studies. Math questions In the classroom, teachers may ask boys to answer math questions at a higher proportion than girls, or girls may assume the note-taking role during science experiments and boys do the “work”. The NAPE Education Foundation established a STEM Equity Academy for teachers to address bias and encourage greater participation of girls and under-represented populations in STEM careers. We could close the skills mismatch and put more people to work if we encouraged more students, especially women and girls, to pursue STEM degrees. by Cynthia Yung To plug that leak, it will take mothers, fathers, teachers, post-secondary institutions and business role models working together and reinforcing messages that STEM careers are relevant to female students.