creating equitable stem learning opportunities for k-12 girls
TRANSCRIPT
CREATING EQUITABLE STEM LEARNING
OPPORTUNITIES FOR K-12 GIRLS
Sharon Dixon Gentry, Ed.D
Board President
Metro Nashville PS
Kecia Ray, Ed.D
Exec. Director of Learning Technology
Metro Nashville PS
Julie Evans
Chief Executive Officer
Project Tomorrow
Welcome and introductions
Setting the context – research findings
What works? In Metro Nashville Public Schools
From across the country
Personal insights from panelists
Your questions/comments/ideas
Today’s Discussion
Use your devices to tweet your ideas, comments or
questions during today’s session:
#nsbagirlsSTEM (special for this session!)
#NSBA2015, #NSBAConf
Let’s be
interactive!
Need for STEM professionals
STEM jobs are good paying jobs
STEM industries are important
Equity of opportunity for all students
Women hold 24% of STEM jobs
Amongst Silicon Valley startup tech
companies, only 14% of senior managers
are women
Is this statistic “Fact” or “Fiction”
regarding women in STEM?
Women hold 24% of STEM jobs
Amongst Silicon Valley startup tech
companies, only 14% of senior managers
are women
In IT positions, only 9% are held by
women
Is this statistic “Fact” or “Fiction”
regarding women in STEM?
Women hold 24% of STEM jobs
Amongst Silicon Valley startup tech
companies, only 14% of senior managers
are women
In IT positions, only 9% are held by
women
Today, only 18% of computer science
majors are women
Is this statistic “Fact” or “Fiction”
regarding women in STEM?
Women hold 24% of STEM jobs
Amongst Silicon Valley startup tech
companies, only 14% of senior managers
are women
In IT positions, only 9% are held by
women
Today, only 18% of computer science
majors are women
Reality Check?
Women hold 24% of STEM jobs
Amongst Silicon Valley startup tech
companies, only 14% of senior managers
are women
In IT positions, only 9% are held by
women
Today, only 18% of computer science
majors are women
Reality Check? All facts!
Women hold 24% of STEM jobs
Amongst Silicon Valley startup tech
companies, only 14% of senior managers
are women
In IT positions, only 9% are held by
women
Today, only 18% of computer science
majors are women – in 1983, it was 37%
Reality Check – all facts!
Similar pattern in education
School District technology leadership
positions:
CIO/CTO
Director of Technology
IT Director
Directors of Education Technology
Similar pattern in education
School District technology leadership
positions:
CIO/CTO
Director of Technology
IT Director
Directors of Education Technology
3X more males than females in these positions
Setting the context
Research data from the Speak Up National Project
Online surveys in Fall 2014
Conducted through schools
430,000 K-12 students nationwide
Analyzed for gender differences
Tech skill level
compared to peers
K-2
Girls /
Boys
Gr 3-5
Girls /
Boys
Gr 6-8
Girls /
Boys
Gr 9-12
Girls /
Boys
My skills are
advanced
26% / 32% 21% / 32% 21% / 34% 20% / 37%
My skills are
average
48% / 46% 61% / 53% 74% / 60% 76% / 58%
My skills are
beginner level
25% / 22% 18% / 15% 5% / 6% 4% / 5%
Did you know that?
Girls and boys have different perceptions of their
technology skills – and it starts in elementary school
Students’ self assessment of tech skills
Source: Speak Up 2014 National Data
Did you know that? Value of technology use in learning
63%
66%
55%
57%
Technology Use = Increased InterestGr 6-8 Girls Gr 6-8 Boys Gr 9-12 Girls Gr 9-12 Boys
Both girls and boys say that using technology
increases their engagement and interest in learning Source: Speak Up 2014 National Data
Did you know that? Interest in STEM Careers
29%
15%
37%
20%
19%
13%
36%
32%
Not interested
No opinion
Somewhat interested
Very interested
Boys Girls
And they have different aspirations for STEM careers too
Source: Speak Up 2014 National Data
Did you know that? Interest in taking a coding class?
Girls in various
grades
Yes, I am
interesting in
learning how to
code or program
a computer
Girls –
Grades 3-5
64%
Girls –
Grades 6-8
50%
Girls –
Grades 9-12
37%
Decreasing level of interest – sweet spot is
elementary grades Source: Speak Up 2014 National Data
Did you know that? Interest in taking a coding class?
Girls in various
grades
Yes, I am
interesting in
learning how to
code or program a
computer
Girls –
Grades 3-5
64%
Girls –
Grades 6-8
50%
Girls –
Grades 9-12
37%
Decreasing level of interest – sweet spot is
elementary grades
What
can
change
this?
Source: Speak Up 2014 National Data
Did you know that? Drivers to increase STEM interests
Having a mobile device matters here too! Girls with mobile
devices are more likely to be interested in learning how to
code
79% of girls in grades 9-12 who are
interested in coding also own a
smartphone
39% own a tablet
Source: Speak Up 2014 National Data
Did you know that? Drivers to increase STEM interests
Having a mobile device matters with STEM interest too!
Girls with mobile devices are more likely to be interested
in a STEM career field
83% of girls in grades 9-12 who are
interested in STEM also own a
smartphone
41% own a tablet
Source: Speak Up 2014 National Data
Did you know that? Drivers to increase STEM interests
Playing games has a relationship with STEM interests
57% of girls in grades 6-8 who said they
play digital study games are also
interested in a STEM career field
Source: Speak Up 2014 National Data
Did you know that? How to learn about STEM careers
Top ways that middle school girls want to learn about
STEM careers:
1. Visit companies and meet with career professionals (73%)
2. Take a quiz to assess skills and interests (62%)
3. Learn from career professionals who guest teach (60%)
4. Learn from teachers with STEM career experiences (53%)
5. Use mobile apps and websites to explore various careers
(52%)
6. Have a mentor (46%)
Source: Speak Up 2014 National Data
Did you know that? How to learn about STEM careers
Top ways that middle school girls want to learn about
STEM careers:
1. Visit companies and meet with career professionals (73%)
2. Take a quiz to assess skills and interests (62%)
3. Learn from career professionals who guest teach (60%)
4. Learn from teachers with STEM career experiences (53%)
5. Use mobile apps and websites to explore various careers
(52%)
6. Have a mentor (46%)
Common denominator: socially-based learning
Source: Speak Up 2014 National Data
Welcome and introductions
Setting the context – research findings
What works? In Metro Nashville Public Schools
From across the country
Personal insights from panelists
Your questions/comments/ideas
Today’s Discussion
Sharon Dixon Gentry, Ed.D
Board President
Kecia Ray, Ed.D
Exec. Director of Learning
Technology
Our Experts
Welcome and introductions
Setting the context – research findings
What works? In Metro Nashville Public Schools
From across the country
Personal insights from panelists
Your questions/comments/ideas
Today’s Discussion
Post to Twitter:
Your questions for the panel
What surprised you from our discussion so far?
What is most useful for you?
Use these hashtags:
#nsbagirlsSTEM
#NSBA2015, #NSBAConf
Let’s be
interactive!