What Is STEM?

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What is the most important scientist in human history? Some people many instantly think of Albert Einstein who is famous for his work with the theory of relativity. Or of Isaac Newton who came up with the theory of gravity. Few will think of Marie Currie for her work with radioactivity or of Rosaline Franklin who discovered that DNA was shaped in a double healix. These women’s work are immensely important. Without their work in the field we would know significantly less about radioactivity and the structure of DNA. Since these women’s work drastically changed and improved science then why aren’t more girls choosing career paths in STEM fields? Less and less girls are choosing career in STEM fields causing a growing gender gap as well as a decline in many STEM fields. Now one may wonder what is STEM? The acronym STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. (Lawerence-Turner Jody, 1) There are many reasons that few …show more content…

But why? Girls can be intimidated by many things in STEM. Without support and education they can quickly lose interest in STEM. There are many things that can discourage girl from entering STEM. Girls lose interest because of “socialization and lack of exposure and access”. (Danae King, 2)The funny thing is girls and boys are equally interested in STEM until middle school. (Danae King, 8) One of the main reasons for this is STEM is a male dominated field. Girls can be very uncomfortable being the “only girl”. Girls often don’t think that they are smart enough to work in STEM fields. Words like rigorous and advanced can turn girls away from STEM fields because they feel intimidated.(Girls Scouts of America, page 10) African American and Latino girls can be even more discouraged because they have fewer support, low exposure, and low academic achievement than their white peers. As a result they are less likely to be involved in STEM fields. (Girl Scouts of America, page

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