A gender gap has resulted in the under-representation of Hong Kong female secondary school students that study science, technology, engineering and maths; commonly referred to as STEM subjects, could be holding females back from future high-quality, well-paying jobs in the future, according to the findings of a research report commissioned by The Women's Foundation (TWF).
Involving nearly 1,000 Form Three female students and 146 STEM teachers from 13 schools, including co-education with all-girl schools, the study highlights how gender stereotyping, negative early experiences and a lack of female role models are some of the reasons that teenage girls are reluctant to pursue STEM studies at Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) level.
"Our research shows that, with the exception of biology, the perception among many girls is that STEM subjects involve nothing but boring theories, and that they lack the confidence to do well in these subjects," says Dr Dannii Yeung from the City University of Hong Kong Department of Applied Social Sciences who conducted the study with Dr Mario Liong, formerly from Centennial College.
According to 2015 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) figures, nearly three times as many male students studied information communications technology (ICT) at exam level compared to female students. The number of male students that took the physics exam also significantly outstripped female students. Hong Kong is not alone in facing a STEM gender-gap. A similar situation exists in the US, Europe and Australia.
Yeung says because there is no “one-size fits all” solution, schools, parents, businesses, policy makers and the media need to work together to encourage and inspire teenage female students to study STEM subjects so they are better prepared to benefit from 21st century career opportunities. For example, because parents have a major influence on their children's career choices, information needs to be made available to them regarding the range of jobs and opportunities in STEM-related industries, and what these types of jobs offer to young women.
Parents are also encouraged to provide support to their daughters by emphasising how STEM subjects are not only relevant to school work, but increasingly play an important part in everyday life. "It is never too early to encourage and motivate females to take an interest in STEM subjects," says Yeung.
Meanwhile, Yeung adds that schools should adopt collaborative, project-based learning and provide more support and training for teachers whose skills, abilities and encouragement are essential in inspiring enthusiasm for STEM learning. The report also suggests that science topics could be made mandatory core exam topics instead of being electives.