Women in Science

Your blogger has had the pleasure of teaching students in the basic sciences for over 20 years now, and the majority of the most talented students were female. Unfortunately many of those same female students are lost to the sciences once they enter college. Why do they choose not to major in the sciences - when they obviously have a talent for them? It is hard to tell. But it is a tragic loss to the scientific professions.

While women account for 60% of those who earn a college degree - less than 40% of all science degrees awarded are awarded to women - and a large part of that 40% are accounted for by degrees in psychology and the biological sciences.

Even worse women account for only 20% of those entering the science and technology job market. **

While trends of enrollment and employment have been steadily increasing over the past two decades a lot of improvement can be made; the National Science Foundation, The National Academies, and Association of Women in Science are all working hard to correct the disparities; including issues of gender bias in the classroom and places of employment.

Also check out our own Women’s Resource Center.

** All figures from the National Academy of Sciences.

More tomorrow.