In 65 countries, 15-year-old girls performed better than their male peers on a science test given by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.  In the United States, however, boys outperformed girls.  What’s the disconnect in America?  Researchers think that stereotypes may have something to do with it.

“We see that very early in childhood — around age 4 — gender roles in occupations appear to be formed,” said Christianne Corbett, co-author of the 2010 report, Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. “Women are less likely to go into science careers, although they are clearly capable of succeeding.” Countries like Asia and the Middle East, where a higher percentage of women go into the sciences, don’t seem to have the same cultural forces at play.

Read on nytimes.com

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has appointed Dr. Pendred “Penny” Noyce to Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

“Dr. Noyce’s lifelong experience and commitment to education in Massachusetts makes her an excellent addition to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education,” said Governor Patrick. “I am confident she will continue to be a great partner in our efforts to close the achievement gap and ensure that all of our students are prepared for success, and I thank her for her willingness to serve in this capacity.”

A longtime supporter of the Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF) through the Noyce Foundation, which she helped establish, Dr. Noyce is a former doctor of internal medicine.  The daughter of Robert Noyce, co-inventor of the integrated circuit and co-founder of Intel, Dr. Noyce earned a degree in biochemistry at Harvard and a medical degree at Stanford.  With Barnas Monteith, Vice Chairman of the MSSEF board of directors, Dr. Noyce founded Tumblehome Learning, a company that provides tools for students to become inspired to learn more about the natural and man-made worlds around them.

“I’m honored and excited to serve the children of Massachusetts in this new capacity,” Dr. Noyce said. “I hope to learn a great deal as well as to share what I’ve learned in twenty years of foundation work trying to improve public education, especially in math and science.”
See on www.mass.gov

At the National Urban League Conference in New Orleans last month, President Obama announced an initiative geared toward improving the education of African-American students. The goal of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans is to close the achievement gap between black and white students — a goal that is particularly significant withing the STEM education realm. The initiative should have an impact on STEM education for African-American students in several ways, not the least of which is exposing them to the sciences, math, and engineering at a younger age. For more ways in which President Obama’s initiative promises to brighten the STEM education outlook for African Americans, read this post in Black Enterprise: www.blackenterprise.com

Science has lost one of its brightest stars, as trailblazing astronaut Sally Ride died peacefully yesterday at the age of 61.

Becoming a household name in 1983 as the first woman to fly in space, Sally later championed the cause of inspiring young children — girls, in particular — to pursue their interests in science. She founded Sally Ride Science, a science education company dedicated to supporting girls’ and boys’ STEM interests. The company’s school programs, classroom materials, and teacher trainings aim to “bring science to life to show kids that science is creative, collaborative, fascinating, and fun.” Programs include the Sally Ride Science Academy, Science Festivals, and Science Camps.

Sally Ride’s brilliance, strength, and integrity make her an inspirational role model for new generations of scientists.
See on www.sallyridescience.com

Here’s a novel idea: a dollhouse complete with assembly-required furniture and working circuit boards.  The goal, of course, is to reach girls where they live, so to speak, and encourage an early interest in math and science.  The project, called “Roominate,” is the brain child of three women who met as master’s students at Stanford University. Noting the significant gender imbalance in their classes, Alice Brooks, Bettina Chen, and Jennifer Kessler cast their minds back to their own childhoods — and the gender-neutral toys that entertained them.  Alice Brooks’ father gave her a saw, for example.

The trio launched a Kickstarter campaign, which has raised more than $85,000, far surpassing the $25,000 funding goal they had set.  Look for Roominate soon for your future scientist in museums and online!
See on www.nytimes.com