From: PBS
Role-Playing Goes a Long Way in STEM Education
The North Carolina Science Festival offers hundreds of science-related events and activities across the state for the entire month of April. It covers all fields of science for all knowledge levels, including opportunities for children to pretend to be scientists.
It turns out that pretending encourages children to pursue science fields. That’s especially true for girls.
It’s no secret that women are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, fields. Nationally, women made up 48% of the workforce in 2019 but just 27% of STEM workers.
However, a new study in the journal Psychological Science suggests that science role-playing among children may help girls better identify as scientists. And if the fascination with science continues, it follows that girls may pursue further study and careers in the sciences, and therefore help tighten the gender gaps seen in STEM education and career fields later in life.
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Read the whole story (subscription may be required): PBS
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