Breaking Through!: Helping Girls Succeed in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math - Softcover

Harriet S Mosatche; Elizabeth Lawner; Susan Matloff-Nieves

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1618215213 ISBN 13: 9781618215215

Publisher: Routledge, 2016

Synopsis

Even with increased pressure to involve more girls in STEM areas in education, parents are often left wondering what they can do to keep their daughter's love of science, math, and technology from fading. In Breaking Through! Helping Girls Succeed in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, topics ranging from how role models can make a difference to finding nonstereotypical toys and taking trips that inspire STEM discovery and engagement are illustrated with research evidence and real-life examples from girls and women. Regardless of a daughter's age (from birth to young adulthood), parents will find tips they can immediately use to help combat the gender imbalance in STEM areas. Whether they need to advocate for gender-neutral, STEM-enriched classrooms or want to encourage creative problem solving and persistence in their daughters, readers will find ideas to take action to help the girls in their lives break through the barriers and achieve success in STEM.

2017 NAGC Book of the Year Award Winner

About this title

About the Author

Harriet S. Mosatche, Ph.D, is a developmental psychology researcher and award-winning author. Her latest book is Breaking Through!: Helping Girls Succeed in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (Prufrock Press, 2016). Mosatche has provided expert advice on television, radio, and the Internet; in books, magazines, and newspapers; and through interactive workshops...

Elizabeth K. Lawner, formerly a researcher in youth development at Child Trends, is a social psychology doctoral student at the University of Connecticut where she researches the barriers to recruiting and retaining women in STEM.

Reviews

While the knowledge that women are underrepresented in STEM careers is not earth-shattering, the research rounded up in this book might shock readers not already familiar with the depth of the gender gap. Delving into past and current research about girls and STEM, the authors break down societal stereotypes about innate vs. learned abilities and the lack of female interest in STEM activities, demonstrating how girls can be pushed away from typically male-heavy fields. Additional research about role models and mentoring programs elucidates ways in which adults can effectively support young women interested in these pursuits. Advocacy advice provides parents and caring adults with various methods for guiding girls toward STEM and creating receptive environments so that they aren't shunned, overlooked, or ignored by peers or adults. Perhaps the most valuable aspect of this title is the quick-start guide for incorporating STEM into everyday life. The suggested activities and recommended discussions of scientific method and creative problem-solving appropriately coach adults to feel comfortable talking with and advising girls to become involved in STEM paths for many years to come. Parents, educators, and librarians will all find ideas to implement in this thorough resource. VERDICT A recommended purchase for most parenting, professional reading, or reference collections.—Abby Bussen, Muskego Public Library, WI

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1618215213
• ISBN 13: 9781618215215
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 290