How Exposure to Innovation Closes the Gender Gap in STEM Fields

Getting Girls Involved in STEM

Though employment in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields continues to outpace other industries, the percentage of women working in these fields has remained relatively low. Reasons for this disparity include gender stereotyping and a lack of women mentors for those interested in entering the STEM workforce. Educators can help close the gender gap by highlighting examples of successful women in STEM as role models.

This paper explains how women in STEM fields can make an impact on students who are interested in similar career paths.

Highlights include:

• Some of the factors that have led to the gender gap in STEM industries.
• Research demonstrating women STEM mentors’ influence on young women, and their role in combating gender stereotyping.
• Inspiring lessons from National Inventors Hall of Fame^® Inductees Radia Perlman, Frances Ligler and Carolyn Bertozzi.