Attitude is a key factor in STEM education, especially math. Kids who love math are motivated to work harder and this leads to success. Kids who don't love math never develop the necessary skills, even if they are intellectually capable.
This is especially true for girls. I recently saw a study showing that
young girls think they are worse at math than young boys, even when they aren't. Girls are less likely to sign up for tougher HS math classes than boys, even if they have the same grades coming in. These things have to change before we can ever address the gender gaps in science and engineering professions. The best (only?) way to accomplish this is to start in the younger grades, when it is still possible to convince girls that they are good at math. (Not all of them -- just the ones who are.
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I'm on my town's school board, and some of our K-5 teachers are going out of their way to get girls involved in math. Some have formed math clubs and encourage girls to join. Others are encouraging kids in general, and girls in particular, to participate in math contests. These things are starting to make a difference.
Using girl-centered homework problems can make a difference too. "Carli Lloyd took 15 shots in the World Cup. Three missed the goal and 4 were stopped by the goalie. All of the others went into the goal. How many went into the goal?" Too easy for third grade, but you get the point.
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