Girls in Physics challenging gender stereotypes Annual South

Girls in Physics: challenging gender stereotypes Annual South East Stimulating Physics Conference Charterhouse School Saturday 5 th July 2014 Jenny Mant Jenny. mant@iop. org

This workshop: l l Why do you think not many girls do physics? What can teachers and schools do to encourage girls? What has the IOP done in this area? Try out some of the materials produced by IOP.

IOP Girls in Physics Material l l It’s Different for Girls – the influence of schools Closing Doors: Exploring gender and subject choice in schools Engaging with Girls – an action pack for teachers Girls in the Physics Classroom: Review of Research on Girls’ Participation in Physics l http: //www. iop. org/education/teacher/support/girls_physics/page_4 1593. html l Science: it’s a people thing - a discussion workshop for girls l http: //www. iop. org/education/teacher/support/girls_physics/peoplething/page_61998. html

Task 1: The Quiz In groups discuss the quiz and the answers

What words do you associate with boys’ toys? do you associate with girls’ toys?

What words do you associate with boys’ toys?

And girls’ toys?

Task 2: Comments for discussion Discuss within your group Q: How would you respond to these comments? “What do you want to go into technology for? It will be full of geeks” Q: How do you think these opinions came about? “My mum says that she was useless at physics, so I don’t expect I will take it at A-level”

Task 3: Learn about your role model Interview your role model! Think of your own questions! But if you’re stuck, here a couple of suggestions: What inspired you to go into your job and career? How do you balance your work and home life? Future plans?

Ideas for how to find Female Role Models: l l l l Your local university physics department access/outreach officer SEPNET (South East Physics Network) outreach@sepnet. ac. uk Stem Ambassadors via Stemnet http: //www. stemnet. org. uk/topboxes/stem-ambassadors/ WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) www. wisecampaign. org. uk/women/getset-women Science. Grrl www. sciencegrrl. co. uk Local Research centre or industry Parents or ex-pupils

Alternative (if difficult to find live role models): STEM careers video clip http: //www. iop. org/education/higher_education/stem/care ers/page_44405. html Solar Energy l l Case Studies http: //www. physics. org/careers. asp? contentid=381

Quotes ‘Speaker 1 was amazing. I don’t really enjoy physics too much but have a more open mind to do it now’ ‘My views have changed because I now realise that there are many different jobs and options that can be taken in physics’ ‘There’s a lot more to it than the things we’re taught at school and it’s really interesting’

More quotes ‘I found the speakers really interesting and inspirational. Curriculums need to be more broad and more needs to be taught about what can be achieved with physics qualifications’ ‘I used to think physics was quite boring and there was no point to it. Now I know how much it has affected our world and changed it’ ‘(I enjoyed) asking questions and finding out more about physics and becoming a physicist’ ‘(I enjoyed) the question and answer section at the end because we were discussing questions that had big answers’

And Finally…. share your ideas! What can we do to help encourage girls to go into STEM subjects and careers? How do we help them stay in those careers?

Any Questions?