On Monday, the winners of the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology were announced. For the first time, young women earned top honors. For the first year, young women outnumbered young men in the final round. The results of the Siemens contest should put to rest any lingering doubts about women's aptitude in the science fields.
Women have long been under-represented in the science fields although that trend has been shifting over the past decade. Statistics compiled by the National Science Foundation indicate that women constituted a greater percentage of graduate students in Science and Engineering in 2005 (43%) than in 1995 (38%). In 2005, women made up 76% of the graduate students in psychology, 56% in the biological sciences, and 54% in social sciences. Women accounted for 22% of graduate students in engineering and 25% of graduate students in computer sciences in 2005. Roughly 35%-45% of the graduate students in most other science fields were female.
There has been speculation about the reason for under-representation of women in the science fields. In 2005, Lawrence H. Summers, then president of Harvard University, suggested that "innate differences between men and women might be one reason that fewer women than men succeed in math and science". Dr. Summers' comment sparked outrage and, notwithstanding his apology, he tendered his resignation thirteen months later amidst a maelstrom of protest.
The performance by winners in this year's Siemens Competition dispels any notion of "innate differences" and women's ability to succeed in science. In the team category, Janelle Schlossberger and Amanda Marinoff, both 17, shared first prize. They created a molecule that helps block the reproduction of drug-resistant tuberculosis bacteria.
In the individual category, Isha Himani Jain, 16, earned first prize. She studied bone growth in zebra fish whose tail fins grow in spurts, similar to children's bones. At the age of 10 or 11, Miss Jain co-published her first research paper with her father, a professor at Lehigh University.
In the individual category, Alicia Darnell, 17, won second place. Her research identified genetic defects that could play a role in the development of Lou Gehrig's disease.
Several weeks ago, Kathie L. Olson, Deputy Director of the National Science Foundation testified before the Congressional Subcommittee on Research and Science Education. According to Dr. Olson, increasing the number of women at all levels of the science and engineering academic workforce offers many benefits, including new and diversified perspectives to drive scientific research, as well as mentors and role models for undergraduate and graduate students that better represent the makeup of the student body.
The results of this year's Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology mark a significant shift in this generation of scientists. The Siemens Competition was first held in 1998. This year 1,600 students nationwide entered the competition from which 20 finalists were chosen. Of the 20 finalists, eleven were young women. As more and more young women are not only afforded the opportunity to enter the field of science, but also provided with adequate mentors, this trend will continue for generations to come.
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My wife is an engineer. Some years back she wanted to go to grad school but lacked the grades. She started taking the courses anyway and one day the department secretary told her that if she would just apply, it would be guaranteed that she would get in! The secretary added " . . . and if you have a mother or sister who'd like to apply we can get them in too."
I'm glad to see that these types of incentive are finally paying off for getting women into science and technology. You go gurls!!!
The first is that females are told, ex- and implicitly, what behavior is approved for them. Being pretty, acting weak, being uneducated and unsophisticated. Being servile and obedient. Childlike is good.
And obviously, the opposite is bad. Not putting effort into being pretty, being athletic and strong, being smart, being savvy, standing up for yourself and asserting your own views is bad. Adult is bad.
All people seek approval. Most people incorporate cultural instruction, and try to adopt to what society tells them is acceptable.
So the first thing that happens is that females are told they should not be smart, should not accomplish. If they do, they will not receive approval and acceptance, which everyone wants.
The second thing that happens is social blindness causes everyone to simply ignore the accomplishments of women. The woman who is the smartest or the best in her field is explained away as being a freak, or a bitch, or a dyke, or other bizarre attributes are claimed to explain why she is excluded from society's benefits despite her apparent accomplishments. Women artists and writers are triviliazed or ignored. Women singers are forced to dress and act like strippers. Women scientists are almost unknown.
I work in a field in which many professional journals are running comments about the women "disappearing" from my field. The authors suggest women "escape" to raise babies and bake cookies. The ones I talk to are more driven out of the field by being underappreciated and compensated, denied employment after the first five years, and/or allowed to slowly go broke on their own.
When Reagan got into office he brought back sexism with a roar. Nancy Reagan became the epitome of the ideal female. And it's gotten worse since then. All the white men who felt threatened by having to compete with women have jumped on the bandwagon to exclude women. Ayatollah Bush and his merry band of fascists, with their choir of preachers and TVEvangelists, have almost completed the mission.