STEM education. What young women think about it

Woman, career, STEM? It's complicated

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics: 70.0 percent of the female school students* surveyed have a personal interest in STEM subjects. However, many of the young women also express reservations when it comes to studying or training in STEM subjects. Why? More than 40 percent of them say that they feel overwhelmed by STEM subjects or find the STEM field too difficult.

One reason for this could be that many of the female school students do not feel equipped to study or train in subjects such as technology, computer science, physics and the like. Another aspect is the lack of female role models, says IU Chancellor Prof. Dr Alexandra Wuttig: "Because role models in a young woman's direct social environment, such as teachers, family members, but also in the world of business, have a major influence on their choice of dgree later on." More facts and details in the IU short study "STEM education. What young women think about it."

View the study in PDF

*Although gender requires more than a binary classification into female and male, the data currently available for such an analysis is limited. In general, the numbers are too small to allow a statistically significant breakdown by additional variables. Therefore, for the purposes of this study, gender is considered in a binary system.

STEM education for young women: the facts

70.0 %

of the female school students surveyed are generally interested in STEM subjects.

44.6 %

say that a degree or apprenticeship in STEM would be too difficult for them.

24.3 %

believe that a STEM degree programme is too expensive because they cannot work a part-time job due to the high workload.

44.9 %

say: At school, I often find STEM subjects dry and boring.

34.8 %

say: The content of STEM subjects is too complicated for me.

Female role models

in the social environment are rare: Only a few respondents have female friends or female family members who work in STEM professions.

Prof.in Dr.in Alexandra Wuttig, Kanzlerin an der IU

STEM depends on the schools

"Women enrol in STEM courses less often than men. To do something about this, you have to start early at school - for example, through gender-sensitive lessons that appeal equally to girls and boys, show diverse role models, are mindful of imagery and create a positive learning environment."

Prof. Dr Alexandra Wuttig

Chancellor of IU International University of Applied Sciences

STEM education: Facts, hurdles, role models

Why are so many young women interested in STEM subjects but shy away from further STEM education? The IU short study takes a look at the hurdles and asks an expert for her opinion.

Young women rate their prior knowledge of MINT studies or MINT training as rather low.

Perceived truth: Too little prior knowledge of STEM subjects

Many female school students think that their prior knowledge and skills are not sufficient for a STEM degree programme or STEM apprenticeship. In the field of biology, 41.2 percent still feel equipped, while less than 20 percent feel this way about engineering, computer science or physics.

**Answers to the question: "With my previous knowledge and my skills, I feel equipped to start a university course or an apprenticeship in the following subject.” ("Completly agree" and "Agree" on a scale of 5.)

Source: IU short study "STEM education. What young women think about it."

Reasons against studying MINT or MINT training: too difficult, too overwhelming, too expensive

What else speaks against STEM?

More than 40 percent of female school students assume that a STEM degree course or STEM apprenticeship is too difficult for them - or that STEM subjects are too demanding for them. Another reason is that a STEM degree programme is too expensive because there is no time left for a part-time job.

**Answers to the question: "Please rate to what extent the following points would prevent you form taking an apprenticeship or a degree course in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (=STEM).“ ("Completly agree" and "Agree" on a scale of 5.)

Source: IU short study "STEM education. What young women think about it."

Role models give courage

"Above all, more female role models in STEM fields are urgently required, so they can encourage young women with their own experience. Because role models in a young woman's social environment, such as teachers and family members, but also in the world of business , have a major influence on their choice of degree later on."

Prof. Dr Alexandra Wuttig

Chancellor of IU International University of Applied Sciences

IU Kurzstudie zu MINT-Bildung und Frauen

IU study on STEM education and women

Many female school students are interested in STEM subjects, but the barriers to choosing a STEM degree programme or STEM apprenticeship are high. Find out more in the IU short study.

View the study in PDF