In a recent NSTA online survey about gender and science education, 75% of respondents reported that boys are not outperforming girls. Only 34% indicated their school or district offered programs aimed at increasing girls’ participation in science activities, although nearly 70% said they included lessons or other materials to encourage girls to study science and pursue science careers.

Several survey participants observed how much students’ communities value science education—for both girls and boys—affects student interest. Many noted the impact role models can have on students’ interest, with quite a few commenting they intentionally included examples of women scientists in their teaching. Some female former scientists who are teaching as a second career say their students—both male and female—are interested in their real-world experiences. In the words of one Missouri high school educator, “My presence is a daily lesson.”

Here’s what science educators are saying:

Both genders are given equal opportunity, and in my district, good grades in math and science are important to both genders. I believe that this mindset is mostly due to parental approval of girls pursuing careers in these areas.— Educator, High School, Michigan

I encourage girls (and boys) to realize love of science leads to certain employability, but at the middle school level, thoughts of jobs and college are far removed from their minds.— Educator, Middle School, Connecticut

Girls tend to take AP [Biology]. Boys tend to take AP Physics C…Although the AP Physics C teacher is a female licensed professional engineer, some girls still think that physics is for boys.— Educator, High School, New Jersey

I have worked in three secondary schools in the past six years, all of them overseas. The girls are outperforming in all areas...These schools were in Trinidad/Tobago, Egypt, and Kenya.— Administrator, Middle School, High School, Institution of Higher Learning

Societal Impediments

[The] real problem with female participation in science occurs in the job market: Science careers often require geographic mobility, which is more of a problem for women than men. In addition, it is difficult to get back in the job market if you take a break (or even just work part time) to raise children.— Educator, High School, West Virginia

Some is student motivation, but I think a lot is from the attitude from their parents and teachers that science is for white boys (even if they don’t say it out loud).— Educator, High School, Kentucky

In the biological sciences, girls still allow themselves, or the culture promotes, the “yuck” factor…I explain daily that my students are the future. They must matter and make a difference…The groups learn to get everyone involved, even when it gets messy.— Educator, Oregon

Encouraging All

I work in an underprivileged school; my main issue is convincing any of the children that they are smart enough to do any science.— Educator, High School, North Dakota

When I teach science, I don’t try to encourage just my female students to become interested in science. I like to show all my students how that science information is used in their world…I get my students engaged in their learning and excited about how what they are learning could be used to change the world.— Educator, Middle School, Michigan

I encourage all students, male and female, to study science because it is key to understanding the modern world.— Educator, High School, Kentucky

In my classroom, I am trying to encourage both boys and girls to study science and consider science careers...I believe that if we make our classes challenging and employ a variety of teaching strategies, the subject will be embraced by all, regardless of gender.— Educator, Middle School, Massachusetts

I teach third grade, and the girls are very interested in science/labs. Both genders understand and perform at high levels of inquiry…Every time there is a lab, I wear a science lab coat, and I express my excitement as a female for science.— Educator, Elementary, Ohio

Differing Views

The better students happen to be the girls…The girls are equally active in participating in classes and clubs…I am a woman with a PhD in plant physiology/biochemistry. I taught/did research at a local university for 15 years before switching to this school. My experiences come up often in class discussions. Boys and girls are intrigued.— Educator, Middle and High School, Maryland

The boys have not been given basic skills in math and English, perform poorly in science, lack interest, and are looking for “easy money” with no ambitions…It is the boys who need encouragement today.— Educator, High School, Institution of Higher Learning, New York

Boys are more interested in science and perhaps hard-wired to perform better in science and engineering…There is a difference in the interests and capabilities of the genders!...Specifically targeting females over males is blatant discrimination against males.— Educator, High School, New Jersey

Girls outnumber the boys 60-40 in honors and AP and elective science classes...We are looking at a problem with boys achieving…It concerns us at our school, and [I] think we have overcompensated to make instruction girl-friendly, and now it favors girls over boys.— Educator, High School, California

More girls are enrolled in bio[logy] electives than boys, more boys are enrolled in physics electives than girls, and chem[istry] is about 50-50...The larger question is why. Our school is a science magnet, and even with programs for girls in physics, they are just not that interested, preferring the medical areas over engineering.— Educator, High School, Illinois

Males are generally more inclined to like science topics…I would not waste time or effort in pushing this. [Why] force a square peg in a round hole? Leave the pegs alone, and put them where they fit easily…I teach science. Period…I want all of my students to learn it. Some of my best students are girls! But some of them are just doing well because they are mature and hard workers, not always because it’s their passion.— Educator, High School, New Jersey