Positive role models are vital for encouraging girls into engineering and computer science
Adolescence is a time when the views and opinions of peers really begin to take root, particularly when it comes to making study and career-focused decisions. Research has shown that the decisions girls make regarding STEM subjects is influenced considerably by the attitudes of their peers concerning gender and occupation. Elizabeth Kirkham explores how promoting positive female role models, ranging from female peers who have strong belief in their scientific abilities, to academic societies supporting women, to female scientists who can provide encouragement to girls, can inspire confidence in girls’ abilities to succeed in a career in STEM.
Positive role models are vital for encouraging girls into engineering and computer science