eCYBERMISSION Defies Negative Stereotypes

Eric W. Robelen of Education Week recently reported the results of numerous surveys taken to determine the level of attention paid to females and minorities during their formative years, and its impact on their career choices as adults.

A survey of female and minority chemists and chemical engineers determined that the nation’s K-12 education system receives poor grades in its efforts to nurture and encourage females and minorities to pursue science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)-related careers.

A related report, developed with the assistance of the National Science Foundation, compiled research supporting evidence that the under-representation of women in STEM-related careers is largely due to negative social and economic stereotypes.
The survey found that the top three explanations for the shortage of women and minorities in STEM-related fields were “lack of adequate math and science education programs in “poorer” school districts; persistent stereotypes that suggest STEM subjects aren’t for girls or minorities; and financial issues related to the cost of education.”

eCYBERMISSION is a free, web-based science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competition for students in grades six through nine. The competition encourages all students to get excited about science, the future of science and to explore how they can make a positive impact on their community. Boasting a 51 percent female participation rate among students of different races, ethnicities, and backgrounds, eCYBERMISSION is a competition that challenges these stereotypes and promotes involvement among all facets of America’s youth.

Click here to read more about the results Education Week received on STEM-related competencies among women and minorities in the U.S. and see what measures are found to encourage interest and participation.

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