Science role models for adolescent girls

Abstract

As teachers interested in helping girls to realize more opportunities in scientific careers, we can celebrate the fact that girls' achievement has improved in the last 20 years, opening up the doors to those careers (Gilbert and Calvert 2003). However, even though the girls leaving our classrooms are realizing the achievement levels needed, too many of them are turning away from such careers. We must now ask ourselves why they are leaving the scientific pipeline and what we can do to encourage them to pursue scientific careers.