In the wake of Tim Hunt's recent explosive comments on 'girls' in laboratories, a welcome debate about women in science has been stirred up. Currently only 7% of British engineers are female, which puts the UK at the bottom of the European gender equality tables. Britain suffers from a large shortage of engineers and scientists each year, so plugging the gap by inspiring more girls into science would seem to be the obvious solution. Unfortunately here in the UK, try as we might, we just can't seem to entice enough schoolgirls into STEM (science, technology, engineering & mathematics) subjects; something needs to change.
But the key to change can't be found with the professors and university lecturers; it can't even be found in the careers advice offices of secondary schools. It lies instead with us – the parents, caregivers and teachers of primary school age children - the people who have the most influence over the next generation.
The fact is that by the age of 10 or 11 children have already formed opinions of what they can and can't do and what subjects are or aren't appropriate for them as a girl or boy. This means that all too often girls opt to drop scientific subjects after their GCSEs, and thereby forego successful and lucrative careers in science and engineering.
It's up to us as parents to ring the changes in girls' early, formative years to help ensure that the next generation of young women grow up with the confidence they need to pursue a career in science. Here are some suggestions on how you can help your girls to flourish as scientists…
1. Start early
From the first day that they are born, girls are subjected to gender stereotyping – pink princesses, cupcakes and dolls adorn their babygrows and nursery walls. As they begin to become aware of their environment, some of the very first messages they're receiving are that girls should be interested in frilly things, domestic baking and childcare, whereas boys should be interested in machines and construction. Let's forget this crazy gender segregation of babies and instead allow children to be free to develop their own interests by exposing them to a balanced mix of images from day one.
2. Buy gender-neutral toys
Next time you buy a gift for a girl, try to think objectively about the toy that you choose. Will it be reinforcing gender stereotypes or breaking them? Here are some ideas for toys that will help encourage an interest in science and engineering from an early age:
Age 0-2: Toys that help promote co-ordination and construction are ideal at this age – for example shape sorters, Mega Bloks and even toy tools.
Age 3-5: Train sets, toy vehicles, plastic magnifying glasses and construction toys all make excellent gifts for pre-school girls.
Age 6-11: Lego, a children's microscope, a science set or a subscription to a science magazine are ideal for helping to inspire young girls.
Age 11+: Microscopes or even electrical engineering sets are excellent for budding young scientists, as well as logic puzzles like Rubik's cubes.
3. Lead by example
Try to be a visible role model by taking an interest in science in the news or in the nature you find on the walk to school. Have a go at mending the washing machine – you might surprise yourself!
4. Take things apart
When a clock, a wind-up toy or even just a retractable pen stops working, instead of throwing it away, encourage your daughter to take it to pieces. Give her a screwdriver, some pliers, whatever tools she needs to get in there. It doesn't matter if she can't mend whatever was broken or even put it back together again; she'll have learnt something about the inner workings of machines and more importantly she'll have learnt that it's fine for girls to wield tools.
5. Explore together
Listen to your daughter's ideas and explanations. Respond with sincerity to her first barrage of toddler "Why?" questions and try to take every opportunity to talk to her about how things work. Encourage her to ask questions and if you don't know the answer, don't panic! Look up the answer or encourage her to experiment to discover it for herself.
6. Let her get on with it
You probably already know that when she mixes vinegar with bicarbonate of soda she's going to create a ton of bubbles, that will likely spill out of the container, but it will be so much more exciting and memorable if she discovers it for herself. Share the message that the universe is full of undiscovered things and things that scientists don't have answers for and that's what makes science so exciting!
7. Stimulate her interest with science magazines and books
It can be tricky to find science resources and ideas for fun experiments to try at home, so make sure you have a supply of child-friendly science magazines and books to turn to. Whizz Pop Bang is a monthly magazine full of interesting articles and exciting experiments for 6-11 year olds that you can sign up for here.
8. Take trips to science museums and festivals
As well as the more obvious science museums, there are also lots of other fantastic venues for discovering science - from transport museums to zoos. Family festivals are worth investigating too, as they often have science tents full of hands-on science.
9. Get out and about
Nothing beats a real science field trip. Take a magnifying glass and a notebook to draw or write about what you find. Encourage your child to look under rocks and in crevices to find tiny bugs or fungi. Look at rock formations, search for fossils or investigate seeds and flowers.
10. Discover the universe
You can find out when the International Space station will be passing over your house here. Put out a blanket in the garden on a clear evening and lie looking up at the stars and the awe-inspiringly huge universe. When you see the space station, it will be travelling at the speed of five miles every second, orbiting the earth every 90 minutes and transporting a crew of six international astronauts, busily carrying out ground-breaking experiments in space – that should inspire even the most sceptical of girls to take an interest in science!