A new survey commissioned by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources reveals the opinions of parents, teachers and career advisors on science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects, also known as STEM.
The latest issue of the STEM Equity Monitor collects and integrates data on girls’ and women’s participation in STEM through schooling, higher education, graduation and the workforce.
For this edition the Monitor drew on data from the survey commissioned to understand the early influences on girls’ perceptions and attitudes toward STEM.
It found that while the majority of parents and educators saw STEM skills as important for getting a good job, they both perceived girls to be less confident than boys across all STEM subjects.
“This view was not necessarily shared by young people (12-to-17 years old) who responded to the previous year’s Youth in STEM survey,” the Monitor said.
“A total of 78 per cent of parents said they had a general interest in STEM, with technology (79 per cent) and science (76 per cent) the most popular subjects.
“Interest levels were higher among fathers compared to mothers across all STEM subjects.”
However, it said, a third of all parents had low or no interest in mathematics (33 per cent) and engineering (34 per cent).
“Among educators, irrespective of whether they taught STEM subjects or not, almost all agreed that STEM skills were important for the Australian economy (97 per cent)” the Monitor said.
“They also agreed that these skills would help provide job security for future workers (89 per cent),” it said.
The latest STEM Equity Monitor can be accessed at this PS New link.
