Girls in STEM
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resulting in many times an abandonment of STEM interests. Some of them even “dumb themselves down” in order to not alienate other girls or intimidate the boys.5 Additionally, there are hormonal changes during puberty that exacerbate the problem6 . Certain biochemical and neurological differences can set girls apart. The production of estrogen, early growth of the amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex, all contribute to a tendency toward caution, worry and emotional reactivity that increases during puberty. Girls are more geared towards relationships, they are more interactive to faces and even smile at an earlier age on average than boys. However, attributing the gender gap to biology misses the obvious contribution of societal and institutional biases. The “girls are not interested in STEM” mantra is itself an example7 . Knowledge of a prejudicial stereotype can lead to enough anxiety that it becomes a selffulfilling prophecy. Although initially applied to racial Math Doesn't Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail by Danica McKellar. 2008.https://www.amazon.com/Math-Doesnt-Suck-Survive-Breaking/dp/0452289491 5
The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist's Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults by Frances E. Jensen and Amy Ellis Nutt. 2015. https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062067842/?tag=saloncom08-20 6
Nature vs Nurture: Girls and STEM by Zuleyka Zevallos. http://blogs.nature.com/soapboxscience/2014/09/04/nature-vs-nurturegirls-and-stem 7