At Arnott Charlton Public School in Brampton, Ontario, girls are actively involved in coding colorful LED lights-and-circuits kits and creating music on laptops during lunch recess. A group of fourth-grade girls is seen joyfully fine-tuning a wheeled vehicle with an extendable arm to “rescue” a duck, under the guidance of teacher-librarian Kristofor Schuermann, the founder of Megabrights, a coding and technology club for girls in the Peel District School Board.
Schuermann’s inspiration for starting the club stemmed from his daughter’s early interest in technology but lack of suitable programs tailored to her passions. He noticed the need for initiatives to encourage girls to explore STEM fields from a young age due to prevalent stereotypes, as revealed by a study from the American Institutes for Research.
According to the study, children as young as six already hold beliefs that boys excel in computer science and engineering, influencing their interest in STEM subjects. David Miller’s research highlighted the impact of gender stereotypes on children’s perceptions of STEM fields, with a particular bias observed towards boys in certain subjects.
To address these biases, Larissa Vingilis-Jaremko established the Canadian Association for Girls in Science in 1992, aiming to break down systemic barriers preventing girls from pursuing STEM careers. She emphasized the importance of providing diverse role models and creating safe spaces for girls to explore their interests in STEM.
Sandy Graham, a computer science professor at the University of Waterloo, stressed the significance of early exposure to STEM fields to spark interest among students. Initiatives like the CS Escape program for Grade 8 students aim to introduce coding fundamentals in an engaging way, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills.
Encouraging collaboration and diverse perspectives in STEM education is crucial to boosting girls’ participation in these fields, as highlighted by experiences of students like Keira Pincus and Annabel Spencer. By offering engaging and inclusive learning opportunities, educators strive to empower more girls to pursue STEM careers and drive innovation in the future.