Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato
Abstract
For many years, women have been underrepresented in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields at the collegiate and professional levels. The two primary reasons for this underrepresentation are the influence of gender stereotypes and biases surrounding STEM and the lack of female role models in the STEM field. Elementary educators must do what they can to address these issues in an effort to allow girls to see their place in STEM. To help counter the influence of gender stereotypes and biases in STEM, elementary educators should integrate STEM into the classroom for all students to participate and have conversations with students about the gender discrepancies in STEM. To address the need for female role models in STEM, elementary educators should utilize classroom speakers, a diverse classroom library, an inclusive classroom environment, and an effective mentoring program to allow girls to see themselves represented in STEM. While this will not fully eliminate the gender gap in STEM, it will help girls to see their place in the STEM fields from a young age
