Organized by a group at Stanford dedicated to empowering women in technology, this short documentary looks at the underrepresentation of women in computer science. Discusses aptitude.
Science Careers in Search of Women
Argonne National Laboratories (2019)
Image licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Women in Physics Conference
University of Nebraska Lincoln (2011)
Image licensed under CC BY-NC-2.0
Center of Excellence for Minority Women in STEM at Spelman
Department of Defense (2020)
Image is in the public domain
Some History
In 2005, Larry Summers, former president of Harvard, sparked an outcry when he suggested that women might not be as innately gifted in scientific and mathematical ability as men. Below are some reactions, including a follow-up from Summers himself.
Hemel, D. J. (2005, January 14). Summers’ comments on women and science draw ire. The Harvard Crimson.
Summers, L. H. (2005, January 14). Remarks at NBER conference on diversifying the science & engineering workforce. The Office of the President, Harvard University.
Carnes, M., Handelsman, J., Fine, E., Sheridan, J., Benting, D., et al. (c2005). Response to Lawrence Summers’ remarks on women in science. Women in Science & Engineering Leadership Institute: University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Goldenberg, S. (2005, January 18). Why women are poor at science, by Harvard president. The Guardian.
Mackenzie, D. (2009). What Larry Summers said -- and didn't say. Swarthmore College Bulletin.
Trends in Research on Ability and Aptitude in STEM
Research about girls' and women's ability and aptitude in STEM spans a broad spectrum of inquiry. It continues to be an area for earnest study.
Examining differences:
Casey, B. M., & Ganley, C. M. (2021). An examination of gender differences in spatial skills and math attitudes in relation to mathematics success: A bio-psycho-social model. Developmental Review, 60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2021.100963
Stewart-Williams, S., & Halsey, L. G. (2021). Men, women and STEM: Why the differences and what should be done? European Journal of Personality, 35(1), 3–39. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890207020962326
Moè, A., Jansen, P., & Pietsch, S. (2018). Childhood preference for spatial toys. Gender differences and relationships with mental rotation in STEM and non-STEM students. Learning & Individual Differences, 68, 108–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2018.10.003
Stout, J. G., & Blaney, J. M. (2017). “But it doesn’t come naturally”: how effort expenditure shapes the benefit of growth mindset on women’s sense of intellectual belonging in computing. Computer Science Education, 27(3-4), 215-228.
Halpern, D. F., Benbow, C. P., Geary, D. C., Gur, R. C., Shibley Hyde, J., & Gernsbacher, M. A. (2007). The science of sex differences in science and mathematics. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 8(1), 1-51.
Spelke, E. S. (2005). Sex differences in intrinsic aptitude for mathematics and science?: A critical review. The American Psychologist, 60(9), 950-958. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.60.9.950
Gallagher, A. M., De Lisi, R., Holst, P. C., McGillicuddy-De Lisi, A. V., Morely, M., & Cahalan, C. (2000). Gender differences in advanced mathematical problem solving. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 75(3), 165–190. https://doi.org/10.1006/jecp.1999.2532
Examining factors for the "differences" in ability/aptitude or how to close the gap:
Applebee, D., Bennett-Day, B., Ferrari, J., Pritchard, P., & Boettger-Tong, H. (2021). Multimodal training improves spatial reasoning skills in female college students. Journal of Science Education & Technology, 30(4), 539–549. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-020-09898-6
Jasko, K., Dukala, K., & Szastok, M. (2019). Focusing on gender similarities increases female students’ motivation to participate in STEM. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 49(8), 473–487.
Wang, M.-T., Eccles, J. S., & Kenny, S. (2013). Not lack of ability but more choice: Individual and gender differences in choice of careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Psychological Science, 24(5), 770–775. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797612458937
Moe, A. (2009). Are males always better than females in mental rotation? Exploring a gender belief explanation. Learning and Individual Differences, 19(1), 21-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2008.02.002
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Books
Inferior: How Science Got Women Wrong and the New Research That's Rewriting History by
For hundreds of years it was common sense: women were the inferior sex. Their bodies were weaker, their minds feebler, their role subservient. But a huge wave of research is now revealing an alternative version of what we thought we knew.
Publication Date: 2017
Making Sense of Mathematics for Teaching Girls in Grades K-5 by
Presents research and recommendations for teaching math to girls in four succinct, results-focused chapters. Use this book to better understand gender biases related to mathematics and improve girls' education. Understand the environmental barriers and gender stereotypes that create gender differences in mathematics performance and prevent many girls from learning mathematics at high levels. Learn how to foster a safe learning environment that encourages girls to take risks when they learn math.
Publication Date: 2019
The Science on Women in Science by
A 2007 NAS report dismissed the possibility that gender disparities in scientific fields might be attributable to biological differences and called for immediate remedial action in education, government, and business. This volume examines the research behind the NAS's claims and presents a more balanced analysis of the gender gap. This book is a lively, readable, and balanced collection of articles by distinguished scholars from sides of an often-contentious debate.
Call Number: (This book available through MeLCat)Publication Date: 2009
Women, Science, and Myth: Gender Beliefs from Antiquity to the Present by
Examines the ways scientists have researched gender throughout history, the ways those results have affected society, and the impact they have had on the scientific community and on women, women scientists, and women's rights movements. Particular emphasis on the 20th century.
Call Number: (This book available through MelCat)Publication Date: 2008
Teaching the Female Brain: How Girls Learn Math and Science by
Focuses on math and science instruction. A large part of the problem, it seems, is that math and science classes are simply not taught in ways that complement the female brain. James shows teachers how to incorporate research-based findings and adapt classroom experiences to assist girls' learning, within the best standards of classroom instruction.
Publication Date: 2009
Gender Differences in Mathematics: An Integrative Psychological Approach by
Females consistently score lower than males on standardized tests of mathematics - yet no such differences exist in the classroom. Why does this discrepancy exist? This book presents a series of papers that address these issues by integrating the latest research findings and theories.
Publication Date: 2005
Spatial Skills Research
Spatial visualization abilities have been shown to be a key predictor of success in science, technology, engineering, and math fields. Past research has revealed that women and underrepresented minorities tend to lag behind in spatial visual abilities; however, research has also shown that these skills can be improved with guided practice.
Sorby, S. A., & Veurink, N. (2019). Preparing for STEM: Impact of spatial visualization training on middle school math performance. Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering, 25(1).
LeBow, V., Bernhardt-Barry, M. L., & Datta, J. (2018). Improving spatial visualization abilities using 3D printed blocks. 2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition. (See link for “Download Paper” to get to full text)
Ha, O., & Fang, N. (2018). Interactive virtual and physical manipulatives for improving students’ spatial skills. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 55(8), 1088-1110.