.jpg?v=d7f1b62159b21f52fe14df30fdc0f34b)
STEM stereotypes 'can affect female students' career aspirations'
Female students are at risk of having their perceptions of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning adversely influenced by cultural stereotypes well into the advanced years of their education.
This is according to a new study from Germany, published in the journal Frontiers for Psychology, which examined the attitudes of 296 female students attending German universities, all of whom were enrolled in STEM programmes whose student bases were less than 30 per cent female.
Even though the students participating in the study were likely to have achieved good grades in STEM subjects at school, established stereotypes about STEM disciplines being male-centric fields still appeared to affect their thinking, lowering their sense of competence, ability and self-confidence.
STEM career paths were perceived as atypical by those within the students' social environments, resulting in reactions of surprise or even scepticism. Another common perception was that girls' achievements in these subjects should be attributed to hard work rather than talent.
The study also indicated that direct interventions aimed at providing support for female students can backfire and reinforce these stereotypical views, suggesting more indirect methods may be preferable. Examples of this might include giving schoolgirls the opportunity to have positive experiences in science-related subjects, or opportunities to meet role models who are enthusiastic about their STEM professions.
Professor Bernhard Ertl, from the Universitat der Bundeswehr Munchen, said: "We were astonished that stereotypes about STEM still corrupt the self-concept of female students who already crossed several barriers and found their way into a STEM subject with a quite low proportion of females.
"Stereotypes are grounded in society and therefore, it is important for us to know the effect of our stereotypes on individuals' self-concepts, achievements and career decisions."
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£140 - 210 per day
Location free text
Sheffield
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£500 - £749 per week
Sector
Teacher
Location
Sheffield
Description
Subject Specialist Teachers Location: Sheffield Start Date: September 2025 Employer: Teaching Personnel Contract: Full-time and Part-time roles available (Temporary & Long-Term placements) Salary: £1
Reference
JH1723
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield NorthAuthor
Sheffield NorthSalary
£90 - 110 per day
Location free text
Sheffield
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Less than £500 per week
£500 - £749 per week
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Sheffield
Description
Cover Supervisors – Secondary Schools Location: South Yorkshire (Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster) Employer: Teaching Personnel Contract: Flexible (Full-time/Part-time/Ad-hoc supply) Salary:
Reference
JH172
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield NorthAuthor
Sheffield NorthSalary
£150 - 230 per day
Location free text
Sheffield
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£500 - £749 per week
Sector
Secondary
Location
Sheffield
Description
Job Title: Primary-Trained Teacher (IR Unit – Secondary School) Location: Sheffield Start Date: September 2025 Contract: Full-Time, Permanent Salary: MPS/UPS (depending on experience)Are you a passion
Reference
JH171
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield NorthAuthor
Sheffield NorthSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Crosby
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Merseyside
Description
Engaging and Supportive English Tutors Required in the Crosby Area.Here at TP Tutors (Part of Teaching Personnel) we believe in every child’s right to a quality education. As such, we are looking for
Reference
RVL22Eng01/07
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Southport
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Merseyside
Description
Engaging and Supportive Maths Tutors Required in the Southport Area.Here at TP Tutors (Part of Teaching Personnel) we believe in every child’s right to a quality education. As such, we are looking for
Reference
RVPR8Mat16/06
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Maidstone
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Maidstone
Description
Kickstart Exam Season with a Rewarding Role at TP Tutors!Why TP Tutors?As we enter the spring term, it’s the perfect time to make an impact on secondary students’ education. At TP Tutors, we’re passio
Reference
DL0107maidstone
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
South TuitionAuthor
South TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Canterbury
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Canterbury
Description
Kickstart Exam Season with a Rewarding Role at TP Tutors!Why TP Tutors?As we enter the spring term, it’s the perfect time to make an impact on secondary students’ education. At TP Tutors, we’re passio
Reference
DL0107canterbury
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
South TuitionAuthor
South TuitionSalary
£90 - 100 per day
Location free text
Chepstow
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Monmouthshire
Description
Hearing-Impaired Teaching Assistant – ALN Base Location: Chepstow, Monmouthshire Contract: Full-Time Pay: From £90 per dayAre you passionate about supporting young people with additional learning need
Reference
1 7 25 LW
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Newport Primary & SENAuthor
Newport Primary & SENSalary
£80 - 100 per day
Location free text
Penarth
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Secondary
Location
Vale of Glamorgan
Description
Full-Time Science Technician Start Date: September 2025 Location: Penarth, CF64 Hours: Monday to Friday, 08:00–15:30 (to be confirmed)Are you passionate about science and keen to play a vital role in
Reference
01/07 BFST
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£31,650 - 49,085 per year
Location free text
Wareham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Modern foreign languages
Location
Wareham
Description
Job Opportunity for an MFL Teacher in Wareham!Role: Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) – French and/or Spanish Working Pattern: Full-Time Contract Type: Permanent contract offered after a proba
Reference
MFLteach2025
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondaryRelated posts

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
Recent statistics highlight gaps in SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) training and support for educators. The government wants more SEND pupils in mainstream schools. At the same t

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
In 2024, the National Audit Office (NAO) highlighted the crisis in the SEND system, noting limited progress in making mainstream schools more inclusive. Without further investment and changes, t

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
How to navigate SEND funding for 2025-26 As government funding for special education needs and disabilities (SEND) evolves, schools face critical challenges securing essential resources. Sch

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
Unpacking SEND reform: Where are we now and what’s coming next? A rapid rise in pupils diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder, social, emotional, and mental health needs (including ADHD), as

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
What do schools need to know this term? Change is constant in the education sector, and this term is no different. From Ofsted and pay reviews, to structural shifts like RISE and curriculum refo
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
The True Worth of Professional Exam Invigilation When schools and colleges across England and Wales prepare for examination periods, the pressure to maintain JCQ compliance while ensuring fair ass
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
With the Easter break and end of term coming up, it’s time to get your payroll sorted! Our Payroll team has outlined the key dates you need to ensure you receive your pay on time. Check out the ta
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
The landscape of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is transforming. The number of pupils in the UK with special educational needs (SEN) has increased over the last five years. Toda
by
Adam Davies

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD02YY
Summary
As Spring approaches, it's a critical date for many teachers in the UK who may be contemplating their professional future ahead of the February 28th resignation deadline. While teaching remains on
by
Adam Davies

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD02YY
Summary
Teaching assistants support teachers and students in the classroom. The role is invaluable and continues to grow in importance as school environments become larger and more diverse. In fact, teach
by
West Yorkshire Primary
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job