Girls are also good at math, let's overcome prejudices

But is it true that Italian girls are less good at math? Or maybe they simply don't feel up to the task of equations and theorems? The fact is that when they grow up, most of them prefer to choose to study literary subjects. Much should be done, first of all work in schools, to introduce them to STEM subjects, the scientific and technical study disciplines (ed. science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

The decline in female enrollment in STEM subjects

According to an Ipsos survey, two out of three young Italians are unaware of the deep gap between our country and the rest of Europe in the number of graduates in STEM disciplines: they are almost half the European average (6.7% versus 13%).

Furthermore, more than 9 in 10 young people underestimate gender differences in this area, ignoring the steady decline in female enrollment over the past 10 years and mistakenly believing that the rate of girls enrolled in STEM courses has increased or remained unchanged.

The data from the Ipsos survey, presented at La Sapienza University of Rome, highlights the paradox of STEM: the scientific gap is ignored by the new generations and this contributes to fueling gender prejudice (29%), lack of female role models (22%) and ineffective school guidance (20%).

In a discouraging scenario, the partnership between science and art can become the key to bridging this gap and inspiring new generations to follow their passions, overcoming cultural and social barriers. This is how the project “Investing for future. Women and STEM: from gap to plus” was born, promoted by MSD Italia – leader in the world of Life Sciences, and sponsored by Sapienza. The symbol of the initiative is the work “Urania's passion” by the artist Lorenzo Quinn, which can be admired from today in the University City. Two female hands hold a representation of the atom to exalt the fundamental contribution of women to science and invite us to overcome gender prejudices.

The investigation

But let's look at the numbers again, to understand how much more should be done to give space to women in science: only 3% of CEO positions are held by women. "In a country where there is an 18% gap between male and female employment to the detriment of women, much remains to be done to restore balance in the world of work", explains Nando Pagnoncelli, president of Ipsos.

Gender bias

This situation fuels a vicious circle: the lack of awareness of the scientific gap perpetuates the gap. This, according to the new generations, is in turn supported by the presence of gender prejudices (29%), the lack of female role models (22%) and an ineffective school orientation (20%). Thus, STEM degree courses still today result in many more boys (a difference of 17 percentage points compared to women).

"In the STEM sectors, prejudices and stereotypes affect girls' academic careers from the lower grades of school. Schools and universities, families, institutions and businesses must find an alliance and introduce integrated initiatives that spark girls' interest in scientific paths", adds Pagnoncelli.

The school

School should be one of the first places to introduce girls to scientific subjects. One of the rare studies on the subject, conducted by the University of Turin in 25 primary schools in the city, has highlighted that even girls can work well in laboratories, especially if there is space to share ideas and collaborate. In the classes that participated in the project: 'Addressing the gender gap in mathematics in Piedmont', girls improved to the point of reducing the gender gap by 40 percent compared to the control classes that had followed traditional methods.

The university

Much can also be done in universities. And La Sapienza is also moving in this direction. “As a University, we have implemented actions and tools to incentivize the female component of STEM courses, intervening first of all on the educational offer, establishing transversal and transdisciplinary courses that are centered on topics of strategic interest such as innovation and high technology and through targeted initiatives, such as #100ragazzeSTEM which has provided for the assignment of 100 three-year scholarships to deserving female students from outside the city who enroll in a STEM degree course. The balance – explains the rector Antonella Polimeni – to date it is positive and growing: our data highlights the primacy of STEM girls among current graduates, both at the level of three-year degrees and that of specialists compared to their male colleagues, confirming an excellent trend for the times in which they reach the diploma, but also for the final degree grades they obtain. Despite this, the female presence is still too low compared to the male one and undoubtedly we are still far from complete gender equality".

The Intelligence of Women

So women are approaching STEM disciplines with very positive results. But there is still a lot to do. “We cannot do without women's intelligence. But we should reach 50% female presence even in top positions", comments Nicoletta Luppi, President and CEO of MSD Italia.

Art to talk about science

In this context, art can be a means to talk about science. Because creative thinking often marries scientific innovation. “The project,” Luppi explains, “wants to promote female participation in STEAM and inspire a necessary cultural and social change, using art and science as a universal language. Quinn’s work represents our look towards the future, an act of responsibility in continuing to build, inside and outside our reality, a world where skills have no gender and opportunities are truly for everyone.”

About 3 out of 4 young people believe in the power of art to integrate that of science: the so-called STEAM approach (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) which, by leveraging critical and creative thinking, can encourage experimentation and research, foster collaboration and make even the most complex topics more accessible. Thus the union between art and science - celebrated in the sculpture "Urania's passion", a 4-meter-high work, from today in the University City - can contribute to transforming the scientific gap of the country into a resource: that plus capable of motivating young people and especially women.

“I was inspired,” Quinn adds, “by the Greek muse of astronomy and mathematics, Urania, to create a symbol of the power of science, capable of thriving thanks to gender diversity. I have always believed that art can break down walls and open minds.”