The Gender Gap in Math & Science
In January of 2005, the President of Harvard University, Lawrence Summers spoke about the widening gap between men and women in math and science. He said that there were innate differences between men and women. Fewer women went onto into careers in science and math because of these differences. In February of the following year, Mr. Summer announced his resignation over growing criticisms about his comments.
Mr. Summer's comments created a lot of backlash from not only the academic community, but also from society as a whole. Professors from Harvard and around the nation, as well as people in all walks of life, called for his resignation. They got their wish, and Mr. Summer resigned. But then a looming question resounded: Was it possible that there was a genetic difference between males and females that prevented females from doing as well in math and science as their male counterparts? Some say no, that the gender gap is an illusion. Others say that the gender gap is due to gender bias and sexism in the classroom. Finally, some say women do not want to enter a field in which they are hugely outnumbered. What is the gap really due to? No one really knows for sure, but we can't deny that it does exist.
According to an article entitled,"Women and Minorities in the Science, Mathematics and Engineering Pipeline" by June C. Chang in "ERIC Digest", only 37 percent of women earned degrees in science, math, and engineering. This number can further be broken down by looking at the data from Science & Engineering in "The National Academies Press". Only 29 percent earned their degrees in science and 3 percent in math. Of the 29 percent who earned their degree in science, 9 percent were engineering. This gap is not shrinking by some estimates, and is in fact growing much bigger. According to figures, women peaked in majoring in some areas of science in 1987. Then the number began to decline. The gender gap is unacceptable to not only the academic world, but also to society. How do we squash this gap that exists between genders?
The main thing that is lacking in our educational system is one-on-one attention. Females often want caring teachers and professors as well as personable teachers. A recent study by "The National Academies Press" supports this, saying that women changed their majors in college due to these teaching styles that were lacking in the math and science fields. Since then, many females are often too timid to get extra help from a world of predominantly male math and science teachers; they must seek help elsewhere in the form of tutoring.
In response to overcrowded schools and not enough one-on-one attention for students, a new concept of tutoring has hit the market: Online tutoring. Online tutoring also allows the intimidation factor that females feel to completely vanish. Tutorzilla is an online tutoring company that is caring and personable with students. We have great tutors to provide all levels of math tutoring and science tutoring. Tutorzilla also offers expert certified tutors who are patient and can help the student succeed in any math or science course. Hopefully with the benefits of exceptional online tutoring resources from companies like Tutorzilla, we can help shrink the gender gap.
