Novo Nordisk Foundation Grant to IMC Researchers
A new research project will investigate why differences in girls' and boys' interest and self-confidence in science emerge early in primary school – and how teaching methods can support engagement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Novo Nordisk Foundation have given a grant of 6 million DKK to Christine Parsons, Ella Paldam and Karsten Olsen.
This project addresses one of Denmark's most persistent educational challenges: the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) interest and participation among school students. Surprisingly early in primary school, girls show markedly lower confidence and interest and confidence in STEM subjects than boys.
By the time students reach university, there are large differences for degrees such as computer science and engineering. The project takes a systematic approach to understanding why this happens and what might work to change it, working directly with teachers and museum communicators to develop learning activities. Then, through controlled experiments with 7th grade classes at Science Museums, specific “active ingredients”, combinations of teaching methods, social dynamics, and cognitive factors, will be tested that can support both boys' and girls' engagement with science learning.
