Women and Girls in STEM Fields: A Reference Handbook

This comprehensive resource offers an in-depth exploration of efforts to enhance access for women and girls who want to pursue educational and career opportunities in STEM fields. The number of women working in STEM in the United States has grown, particularly within social and biological sciences, but they still account for less than a third of the STEM workforce. The reasons behind this disparity remain widely debated, even with the gathering momentum of efforts to break gender barriers and foster greater involvement of women and girls in STEM. This book traces the historical barriers that have impeded generations of women and girls in the States from pursuing STEM careers while highlighting the legal and societal movements that contributed to some of these obstacles. Award-winning science educator Page’s book is nicely structured. It covers key trends, debates, and significant milestones and includes compelling profiles of influential individuals and organizations that have shaped the dialogue around this topic. There are also personal essays by educators, scholars, and women currently working in STEM and a glossary with key terms.