How do you tackle the gender divide in classrooms, and encourage girls to continue studying typically male-dominated industries? Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (or STEM) subjects at school are often over-run by the male cohort – but one school has found a novel way of encouraging girls to continue their passion and participation in STEM classes.
They call them the Robogals, a girls-only class from the Australian Science and Mathematics School in Adelaide. The class is comprised of eleven female students, from grade 1 to 11. Throughout the year the girls take charge of their own LEGO NXT robotics kit and program all components involved, including light, colour and sound sensors, as well as motors and sound outputs.
The initiative began after the newly-appointed STEM Coordinator, Ms Karen Palumbo, decided the school needed to actively engage more female students. She noted that despite many of the girls taking interest from a young age, most drop off in the later years of their education after becoming outnumbered by their male counterparts.
“Perceived gender barriers are still impermeable for many girls and may explain why STEM fields are not amongst their first career choices,’’ Ms Palumbo said.
Australian Science and Mathematics School students, from left, Isabelle Williams, Bethany Thompson, Chloe Dancer, Krystal Rosario and Brianna Smith. Image: Tricia Watkinson. Source: News Corp Australia
The Robogals have thus far enjoyed learning at their own pace and look to be wired for success, with many indicating a desire to study high-level STEM fields at university.
Read more about the Robogals here.
This story was originally covered by Jordanna Schriever for the Daily Telegraph.
