Classnotes Podcast (July 1, 2026). Research shows that girls’ confidence in STEM subjects often begins to decline during elementary school. In this episode, Stephanie Garcia and Lea Rosenauer discuss how mentorship, representation, family engagement and supportive learning environments help girls develop STEM identities and pursue STEM pathways. Drawing on research and practical experience, they explore strategies that schools, families and community organizations can use to help girls thrive.
Key Takeaways* Girls’ confidence in STEM often begins to decline during elementary school, even when their abilities remain strong. * Mentorship and positive female role models help girls develop a stronger STEM identity. * Supportive environments that normalize mistakes and encourage persistence help girls build confidence. * Girls are more likely to engage in STEM when they see connections between STEM, problem-solving and helping others. * Families, schools and community organizations all play important roles in supporting girls’ STEM pathways.
Resource from the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA), a nonprofit advancing education equity.
By about fifth grade, girls’ confidence in STEM subjects starts to fall. As a result, girls are less likely to take higher-level math courses in high school or choose STEM fields in college. But something can be done about it.
In this second recent podcast episode about encouraging girls in STEM courses and fields, Stephanie Garcia, Ph.D., welcomes guest Lea Rosenauer, M.A., President & CEO, Girls Inc. of San Antonio. They discuss key strategies like mentorship, putting positive female role models in girls’ lives and intentionally talking about women who are in STEM fields.
Like IDRA, Girls Inc., starts with the premise that all girls have strengths. Lea describes Girls Inc.’s programming in the out-of-school time space where making mistakes is celebrated.
A recent report by the National Girls Collaborative Project shows that 86% of girls want to be in helping professions. As Lea and Stephanie discuss, when classroom and out-of-school programs make connections between STEM and service along with problem solving, girls see their place in these fields. In addition, family-centered programming helps parents support their daughters as they explore STEM pathways.
Girls belong in STEM. The question is whether we’re building systems that really reflect that truth.
Dr. Stephanie Garcia is IDRA’s STEM education specialist and directs the IDRA VisionCoders and DSEC programs.
Watch Podcast VideoPrev1 of 1Next* STEM Environments where Girls Thrive – IDRA Classnotes Podcast Video Episode 257 Prev1 of 1Next
Quotes
“Girls, as early as age 9, don’t believe that they are brilliant enough to have their dream job.”
Lea Rosenauer
“Talent may be universal. Girls have talent and skills. But access and opportunity are not.”
Lea Rosenauer
“Confidence isn’t a personality trait. It’s built through experience, belonging and affirmation.”
Stephanie Garcia, Ph.D.
“The question is not whether girls belong in STEM. They do. The question is whether we’re building systems that really reflect that truth.”
Stephanie Garcia, Ph.D.
“When girls see women who look like them in STEM, that abstract becomes attainable”
Stephanie Garcia, Ph.D.
ResourcesChanging the State of Girls in STEM Through Access, Culture and Confidence, by Stephanie Garcia, Ph.D.
The State of Women & Girls in STEM Report, by National Girls Collaborative Project
STEM Equity – Online Technical Assistance Toolkit, IDRA
Student Engagement – Online Technical Assistance Toolkit, IDRA
Building an Ecosystem for Latina Prosperity. Latinitas Conversando podcast featuring Stephanie Garcia, Gabriela Kane Guardia, Johanna Moya Fábregas & Jaime Puente. South by Southwest Edu
STEM Ecosystems Foster Community Engagement for a Strong Future – Partner with a STEM Learning Ecosystem Near You!, August 31, 2022
Meaningful Strategies for Making STEM Accessible, October 30, 2020
Five Best Practices that Add Women to the Equation – Preparing K-12 Girls for Mathematics, May 29, 2019
Listen to every episode!To ensure you don’t miss a single episode of IDRA Classnotes, sign up to receive an e-mail alert as soon as a new show is published and subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, Spotify or Amazon Music.
The post STEM Environments where Girls Thrive – IDRA Classnotes Podcast Episode 257 appeared first on IDRA.