Effective STEM Messaging Resources
Messaging about STEM is critical to engage girls and to get them excited about the possibilities of STEM majors in college and STEM careers. The Texas Girls Collaborative Project has been committed to educating volunteers, educators, role models, community leaders, corporate supporters, STEM professionals and more about the research-based best practices in messaging to girls (and all kids) about STEM. TxGCP offers one hour and longer workshops on effective STEM messaging for organizations and at events or conferences across Texas and beyond. Contact Tricia Berry at STEM@txgcp.org to schedule a workshop or for any questions.
Messaging Research, Resources, Toolkits and Talking Points:
American Association for University Women (AAUW) - “Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math” -Research on stereotype threat, biases, and other messages that encourage or discourage women and girls from participating in STEM; Features eight key research findings that point to environmental and social barriers — including stereotypes, gender bias, and the climate of science and engineering departments in colleges and universities
American Association for University Women (AAUW) – “Solving the Equation: The Variables for Women’s Success in Engineering and Computing”- Research on why there are still so few women in the critical fields of engineering and computing and explains what we can do to make these fields open to and desirable for all employees
National Academy of Engineering Executive Summary—“Changing the Conversation: Messages for Improving Public Understanding of Engineering” - Changing the Conversation provides actionable strategies and market-tested messages for presenting a richer, more positive image of engineering. This book (downloadable for free in PDF format) presents and discusses in detail market research about what the public (and teens with data dis-aggregated by gender and ethnicity) finds most appealing about engineering--as well as what turns the public (and teens) off.
Changing the Conversation Online Engineering Messaging Toolkit - Messaging toolkit using the research-based best practices identified in the Changing the Conversation report
Afterschool STEM Hub - Advocates for high-quality afterschool programming in STEM will find useful tools to make the case for expanding and supporting innovative and engaging informal STEM learning. The themes represented in the talking points and other advocacy materials are based on careful communications research—so advocates can have confidence that they are reliable, tested ways of positioning afterschool STEM.
Frameworks Academy "Making the Case for STEM Learning" Course - To make the case for high-quality science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning, use empirically tested communications strategies proved effective for building public understanding and support. This free online course gives communicators the tools they need to show the need for expanding innovative, and engaging, hands-on learning that will equip the leaders of tomorrow to face the challenges that await.
National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Talking Points - Recommended talking points to encourage women and girls to pursue majors and careers in information technology based on research from Changing the Conversation and other NCWIT assessments
Engineer Girl - Middle and high school girl-focused website about engineering careers, engineering role models and reasons why engineering is a great career with messaging crafted based on the research-based best practices from the Changing the Conversation report; includes resources for parents and role models
Engineering Go For It - High school student-focused website about engineering careers, engineering role models and reasons why engineering is a great career with messaging crafted based on the research-based best practices from the Changing the Conversation report; includes resources for parents, role models and educators