New Microsoft research points to the declining interest of girls in STEM, ways to close the gender gap

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Published onMarch 13, 2018

published onMarch 13, 2018

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Microsoft today released new data uncovering the gender barriers facing girls who are interested in the STEM fields. The company’s research suggests five ways to generate more interest in STEM, but also finds society is not showing girls how STEM careers can change the world.

This study was conducted by Microsoft in partnership with KRC Research. The survey included more than 6,000 girls and women between the ages of 10-30 across the US and was fielded online between January 31st and February 7th, 2018.

According to the results, only 36% of girls know a woman in the STEM field. To resolve this problem, Microsoft believes society needs to provide more role models and generate more excitement for the field. The company also believes in encouraging a growth mindset that can help battle gender stereotypes, and provide more hands-on experience in the STEM fields.

Results from the study also showed that 72% of girls want a job that “helps save the world.” Unfortunately, it also revealed only 3 in 5 (60%) girls understand how STEM subjects are relevant to their lives and the types of jobs and things they could do with STEM knowledge. And when it comes to hands-on, only 31% of girls participate in extracurricular STEM activities. Other key results from the study are listed below and detailed in the infographic.

This issue is important for Microsoft’s Dona Sarkar, who is the Principal Program Manager and Head of the Windows Insider Program. She noted her father was the person who encouraged her to pursue STEM, and even when things got hard, he refused to let her give up. “I believe that STEM are the MOST creative professions on earth, absolutely boundary-less and it’s vital that we have people of ALL different backgrounds participating in creating products for all 7.5 billion people on earth, and that includes the 51% of people who are female,” said Sarkar. You can learn more about the STEM gap by visitingthis Microsoft website.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

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New Microsoft research points to the declining interest of girls in STEM, ways to close the gender gap