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Gender Stereotypes in Science Education Resources: A Visual Content Analysis.
Anne H Kerkhoven1,2, Pedro Russo1,2, Anne M Land-Zandstra2
1Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Gender stereotypes appear in primary school science resources, with more men in science roles and women in teaching. This visual bias needs addressing to encourage balanced gender representation in STEM fields.
Area of Science:
- Educational Psychology
- Gender Studies
- Science Communication
Background:
- Gender stereotypes persist in society, potentially influencing career choices and participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
- Educational materials can perpetuate these stereotypes through biased visuals, language, and teaching methods.
- Previous research indicates a gender gap in STEM fields, with fewer women pursuing or working in scientific professions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze primary school science education resources for gender-biased visuals.
- To quantify the representation of men and women in these visuals, noting their depicted professions and activities.
Main Methods:
- Systematic visual analysis of online primary school science education resources.
- Categorization and counting of male and female figures.
- Identification of professions and activities associated with depicted individuals.
Main Results:
- A higher number of men were depicted in science-related professions compared to women.
- Women were more frequently depicted in teaching roles than men.
- The visuals revealed a stereotypical representation of genders within science education materials.
Conclusions:
- Online science education resources for primary schools exhibit gender-biased visuals.
- There is a need for more balanced and diverse representation of men and women in science education materials.
- Addressing these visual stereotypes is crucial for promoting gender equality in STEM and encouraging broader participation.
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