Inspiring Girls to Learn Physics

Research output: Contribution to conferencePresentationpeer-review

Abstract

Physics has traditionally been male-dominated field, with gender gaps in interest and performance stubbornly persisting despite advances in other STEM fields. In this workshop, we'll focus on practical strategies to reduce these disparities by effectively teaching all students, no matter where their intrinsic interests lie. We'll explore methods to build deeper connections with students who may not see their instructors as demographically similar. Drawing from psychology research, we'll examine the role gender schema plays in shaping girls' perceptions of physics and discover creative ways we can reframe material. We'll share strategies to navigate statistical differences in mental rotation abilities and people-versus-things preferences among boys and girls. I will provide concrete examples of curricula I designed using these principles. During the second half of the workshop, we'll break into groups, collaborate designing engaging classroom materials using these approaches and our collective creativity. To wrap up, we'll share our innovative materials with each other and provide us resources we bring back to our physics classes.
Original languageAmerican English
StatePublished - 2013
EventAnnual National Meeting of the National Science Teacher Association - San Antonio, United States
Duration: Apr 11 2013 → …

Conference

ConferenceAnnual National Meeting of the National Science Teacher Association
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Antonio
Period4/11/13 → …

Keywords

  • physics education
  • STEM
  • gender differences
  • gender equality

Disciplines

  • Education
  • Physics
  • Gender and Sexuality

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