News Summary
The Oceanside Unified School District is addressing the rising gender gap in STEM education, particularly among female students, as many have seen a decline in performance after pandemic disruptions. Del Rio STEM Academy has implemented hands-on learning strategies, achieving significant improvements in science scores. The district aims to enhance self-esteem in math for all genders and increase female participation in computer science, with a focus on mentorship from women in STEM fields.
Oceanside – The Oceanside Unified School District is actively working to address the widening gender gap in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, particularly among female students, as the educational landscape shifts in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. These efforts come as many girls have experienced a significant decline in their math and science performance, reversing a decade’s worth of academic progress.
Del Rio STEM Academy, a magnet school within Oceanside Unified, has implemented innovative teaching strategies to combat these challenges. First-grade teacher Katherine Sebastian is a notable proponent of hands-on learning techniques. Her classes utilize engaging activities, including collaborative exercises with a stuffed cow, allowing students to better grasp counting concepts and math fundamentals. This method not only fosters engagement but also promotes teamwork among students.
According to district associate superintendent Mercedes Lovie, Del Rio STEM Academy has achieved the highest increase in science scores within the district, demonstrating an effective approach to learning in subjects crucial to STEM. While the updated science scores for the district have not yet been published, the emphasis on hands-on learning at Del Rio Academy is poised to create a lasting impact.
The gender gap in STEM education has been exacerbated by pandemic-related disruptions. An analysis by the Associated Press indicates that girls lost all advancements in math test scores made over the previous ten years due to these challenges. Although both genders experienced setbacks during recent periods of remote learning, boys’ scores recovered more rapidly. Historical data from 5,000 school districts across 33 states revealed that in the 2008-09 school year, boys outperformed girls in math scores. However, by the 2018-19 school year, girls had surpassed boys in a majority of districts. As of the 2023-24 school year, boys now outscore girls in almost 90 percent of these districts.
Studies, including those conducted by NWEA, indicate that assessment gaps in math and science have increasingly favored boys around 2022. In contrast, the Oceanside Unified School District had been one of the few local districts where girls outperformed boys before the pandemic. Lovie has pointed out that while Advanced Placement courses in math and science continue to maintain gender parity, inconsistencies remain in participation in computer science classes. To address this imbalance, the district is enhancing outreach efforts to encourage girls to participate more actively in computer science.
The district’s overall strategy is focused on enhancing students’ self-esteem and confidence in mathematics, with the goal of achieving equal representation of genders in STEM fields. One important initiative involves inviting women currently working in STEM professions to serve as mentors and role models for students, thereby providing guidance and inspiration.
Del Mar Union School District serves as a notable example of a district where girls are currently outpacing boys in both math and science. This success can be attributed to strong funding and a comprehensive STEAM+ program, which emphasizes hands-on learning. Wealthier districts, like those found in San Diego County, have experienced smaller declines in performance compared to their more disadvantaged counterparts during the pandemic.
Research indicates that girls expressed higher levels of anxiety and depression during the pandemic, although they excelled in reading. Prior to the pandemic, teaching methods in many districts shifted towards a focus on research-backed strategies that stressed problem-solving skills. Del Mar Union’s curriculum also integrates art and design thinking into STEM education, making subjects more relatable and engaging for students, which has garnered support from parents.
Former female students from Del Mar Union frequently return to share their positive experiences and journeys into STEM fields, further inspiring current students to pursue similar paths. With ongoing initiatives, the Oceanside Unified School District aims to not only close the gender gap but also cultivate a more equitable and encouraging environment for all students in the realms of science and technology.
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Additional Resources
- San Diego Union Tribune: Gender Gap in STEM Education
- Wikipedia: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
- San Diego Union Tribune: STEM Education Gender Gap
- Google Search: Gender Gap in STEM Education
- NWEA: Assessing Student Learning in the Pandemic
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