Science

We can see less number of women in the science field than men. It is seen that only about 20% women take science in their bachelor’s degree. Here are the major reasons why women don’t choose science careers.

Teasing in school

Girls are often teased by the classmate and teachers for taking advanced science subjects. The negative comments from peers and students discourage girls from taking advanced science subjects. There is no inherent different between man and woman. So, if given the chance, women can do well in science as well.

Lack of encouragement

Many women don’t get the encouragement they need from their teachers to pursue in their graduate school. So, most women they don’t get the courage to take science for higher education.

Childcare

When some women manage to get a bachelor’s degree in science and enter their career, they need to quit their jobs at an early stage of their career. This is mainly due to lack of maternity leave or other family issues. They cannot spend long hours for work.

Competition

Women are not as aggressive or competitive as men. This may be one of the reasons for not pursuing science in the later stage of their life. When you go to the academic level, you will have the constant pressure of publishing your papers to have a successful career. Many women are not ready to take the challenge.

Discrimination

Those women who get faculty position usually are paid less than male faculties with similar qualifications. They are given less office space, fewer award, etc. This type of discrimination puts women aback and so they don’t consider taking a science-related career. Women constantly face these kinds of discrimination in the workplace and it makes it harder for them to carry on.

There is hope that more women will be in the STEM field in future. The views are slowly changing about women’s role in this sector. Teachers and parents are now encouraging women to go into science subjects. Various kinds of events are organized to motivate women to consider science as a good career choice. One problem that persists is to keep women in STEM careers for a long period of time. They are mostly offered ‘female’ positions like education or health care. They move away from hard-science fields due to lack of support and comfortable environment. In future, we hope things will change and we will be able to see more women in hard-science fields as well.

Trying out the hands-on experiment is the best way to learn science. Teachers must come up with interesting ways to teach science in the classroom to make it fun. Here are some ideas.

Cooking

Cooking classes will be fun and interesting. You can make lemonade and trail mix to teach mixtures and solutions. The students will know the difference between them. They will learn to follow instructions and measure the ingredients. They will learn the process and ask questions if they face any problem.

Take them outside

Fresh air can help in learning more effectively. You can take students outside the classroom and teach them about the environment. You can discuss the changes in weather, pollution, trees, flowers, etc. This direct interaction with nature will help the students learn better and make science interesting.

Put things in pictures

You need to be a good observer to learn science. Pictures can be an effective technique to teach science. You can ask the students to take pictures of the surrounding areas. You can discuss lines, shapes, textures, living things, non-living things, etc. You can compare the pictures from the past with the present to see how the environment or things have changed.

Plan a garden

You can ask the students to plan a garden. The students will need to know the area of space they have to work with, the amount of fencing you need, which vegetables to grow, what soil condition is required, etc.

Take them to museum

Science museums are very interesting. You should take the students there. They will be able to see the different discoveries scientists have made over time. They will understand the various phenomena that have taken place. After the visit, you can discuss what you have seen in class.

Arrange science fair

Science fairs give students the opportunity to be creative. It helps them to learn many new things and experiment with them. In encourages group discussion and teamwork. Science fair is competitive and students will find it very exciting and interesting to compete with each other on various scientific experiments.

Library

Books are great resources to learn about science. You should keep interesting books on science in the library and encourage the students to go to the library. Reading outside their textbooks will free up their mind and they will be more curious to know how things work and why they do so in certain ways.

Science is not about memorizing; it’s about thinking creatively. You should teach students using techniques that will help them to think and be inquisitive. The more questions they will ask, the more they will learn and find interest in the subject.

STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is future oriented. The demands for jobs that need routine skills have decreased, while those requiring more technical skills have increased. The government encourages students to choose STEM fields after school. Here are some ways to motivate students to choose science for their future.

Improve image of science

Many people perceive science to be something tough and negative. Much is to be blamed to those movies and books that portray scientists to be nerdy. The teachers can play a big role in changing this view. They can tell students how science has changed the world and say interesting things about the subject. They can encourage the students by showing different scientific experiments.

Be a positive role model

If a student sees that the teacher is knowledgeable and passionate about science, then they will try to follow their footsteps. So, try to act as their role model.

Make it fun

You should get students involved in science at an early stage and try to make it fun and interesting. You can show hands-on experiments to grow the interest in them.

Connect it to everyday life

You should show the students how science is used in everyday lives. We have cell phones, video games, tablets, etc. because of science. You should tell them how these things are making your life better.

Give them opportunities

You can create contests and ask the students to use science to come up with new ideas, design, etc. For example, you can ask them to develop an app for everyday use. You can encourage group competition as well.

Bring it to life

You can show the students why certain things float while others sink, or make a mock crime scene and ask them to investigate. Make them do things related to science. This will excite them more.

You should try to create the natural curiosity about science in the students’ mind. You can do so by connecting science to daily lives. To make them understand science better, you can come up with explorative and creative opportunities. In most schools, events, like a science fair, are organized. Having more events like this will motivate the students to do interesting experiments and create the interest in science. There are many TV shows and YouTube channels nowadays where you can watch different programs related to science. You should encourage the students to watch those programs and even discuss those programs in class. By growing interest for science from a small age is necessary to encourage them to take up science as their career path.