Written by Sean Barrett, Head of the Origin Energy Foundation<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To mark the end of a year that has forced us to rethink how we live, work and set ourselves up for the future, here’s a challenge for this Christmas. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the children unwrap their gifts on Christmas morning, do a quick audit: how many of the gifts serve a purpose; how many will teach them something? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And how many of the gifts will encourage girls to become our future scientists, engineers and IT leaders? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s a big question, but what better time to consider the drivers behind the choices young women will make in future years. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, the reason women and girls are turning away from science and maths are varied, but one is pertinent at this time of year: gender stereotyping. This includes the belief that maths and science are masculine subjects. We put up subtle barriers to female participation. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s an alarming fact: a growing number of Year 12 students, particularly girls, participate in no maths at all.\u00a0<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
In the early years, boys and girls have no pre-disposition against maths. In fact, they enjoy it and its increasing complexity, according to research by The Smith Family for their pre-schoolers Let\u2019s Count program.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s only later that young people turn away from maths, particularly girls.\u00a0In doing so they are positioning themselves out of jobs of the future.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Careers in science, IT and engineering\u00a0grew at 1.5 times the rate of other jobs in recent years according to the ABS. There are now more workers in Australia who have STEM qualifications than ever before \u2013 2.1 million in total.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have daughters, consider that women make up only 27 percent of the STEM workforce in Australia, according to the CSIRO.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
One in five senior researchers are women, only one in four IT graduates, and fewer than one in 10 engineering graduates are women.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If women are excluded from our pool of scientists and engineers \u2013 responsible for solving the most pressing issues of our time \u2013 there are real and serious consequences.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s an example from the Australian Council of Educational Research who quoted work from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. When airbags were first invented, they were thought to be a safety boon for the car industry \u2013 but designed by men, for men, they proved life threatening to women and children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This Christmas don\u2019t buy your daughter a doll\u2019s house and your son a remote-controlled car. Buy them both something that will whet their appetite for maths and sciences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And here\u2019s an idea for the older children:\u00a0\u00a0mathematician Albert Einstein is reputed to have described compound interest as \u201cthe most powerful force in the universe.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, give them a sum of money and teach them about compound interest. Teach them what the gift will be worth if invested when they want to buy their first computer, holiday, car, house, or start a business.\u00a0\u00a0Prove that and understanding of maths has very real benefits in life.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n