Case Studies - Girls and Mathematics
‘Most of the girls in my Year 10 maths class tell me they won't continue with mathematics beyond 16 …they say they are not clever enough. While not many are expected to get A* or A grades, most will attain A-C. How do I challenge this perception that maths is for very clever boys? How can I show them that it's not just for nerds?’
Maths teacher
Advice
The More Maths Grads website has some nice clips of girls from a range of ethnic backgrounds talking about their dream jobs and could be used in tutor time to promote discussion. The websites below should also help you with this problem and provide some resources you can use to encourage girls to think positively about maths.
Role models have been shown to have a powerful impact on challenging stereotypical ideas and option choices. Try bringing into school a range of jobs from 'doing' like engineering, to 'thinking and planning' like finance, transport, planning, actuaries. Mentoring can also be a useful tool in helping girls to see that maths is needed in many careers and not just in those careers which they may see as ‘only being for nerds’.
Useful websites
www.moremathsgrads.org.uk Click on Teachers and choose Maths Mpegs for the clips on YouTube. You can also click on various relevant sections e.g. Careers, Teachers for information and resources as to how to keep pupils interested in maths.
The following links offer a whole range of case studies and Role Models.
www.wisecampaign.org.uk Click Girls, Education & Community and the Fun Stuff for things girls can do to find out more about STEM careers.
www.mathscareers.org.uk Click appropriate section for more specific information e.g. Click 14-16. This has a section entitled ‘Maths graduates earn more’.
www.wes.org.uk Women's Engineering Society website: Click Education & Outreach, view Role Model study, especially Useful Websites.
www.geriproject.org Click on Role Models.