10 Ways to Make STEM Courses More Inclusive in Higher Ed

STEM is an interdisciplinary approach to education that emphasizes the integration of science, technology, education and math. STEM education aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the 21st-century workforce, which increasingly demands individuals with strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. STEM fields are essential for addressing many of the challenges facing society today, from developing new technologies to combat climate change to finding cures for diseases. As such, STEM education is crucial for ensuring that the next generation of leaders is well-prepared to tackle these challenges and drive innovation and progress forward.

While progress has been made, equity remains a significant issue in the STEM field. Women and people of color continue to be underrepresented in STEM careers, particularly in leadership positions. There are various factors that contribute to this, including societal and cultural barriers, unconscious biases, and lack of access to educational and career opportunities.

Research has shown that diverse teams and perspectives lead to better problem-solving and innovation. Therefore, it is critical that the STEM field works towards creating a more inclusive and equitable environment, where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed regardless of their gender, race, or socio-economic background. This can be achieved through initiatives such as mentorship programs, increasing diversity in STEM education, and creating more inclusive workplace policies and practices. By promoting equity in the STEM field, we can build a more diverse and innovative future for all.

Challenges for Women in STEM

Women face several challenges in STEM fields, including gender bias, stereotypes, and cultural barriers. Studies show that women are often subject to unconscious bias, which can manifest as discrimination or exclusion in the workplace. Stereotypes can also negatively impact women’s self-confidence and sense of belonging in STEM fields. Cultural barriers, such as a lack of female role models and societal pressure to conform to gender norms, can also discourage women from pursuing STEM careers. Additionally, women often face additional challenges, such as balancing work and family responsibilities, that can make it difficult to advance in their careers. 

Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach that involves increasing access to STEM education for girls and women, promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM workplaces, and challenging gender stereotypes and biases. By creating more equitable and inclusive environments, we can ensure that women have equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in STEM fields.

Statistically speaking, it’s obvious to see the disadvantages women face in the field of STEM. Here are six examples: 

1. Women make up only 28% of the science and engineering workforce, despite comprising almost half of the total workforce.
2. Women are less likely to choose STEM majors in college, with only 22% of women majoring in STEM fields compared to 35% of men.
3. Women in STEM jobs earn 25% less than their male counterparts, and the pay gap is even wider for women of color.
4. Women are underrepresented in leadership positions in STEM fields, comprising only 14% of executive positions in Fortune 500 technology companies.
5. Women are more likely to leave STEM careers than men, with 53% of women leaving their STEM jobs within 10 years of entering the field.
6. Women face bias and discrimination in the workplace, with studies showing that they are less likely to be hired for STEM jobs and receive less support and recognition than their male colleagues.

These statistics highlight the systemic challenges and barriers that women face in the STEM field and underscore the importance of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM education and workplaces.

Why is diversity important in STEM?

Diversity is critical in STEM because it fosters innovation, creativity, and problem-solving by bringing together people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. In STEM fields, diversity enables teams to approach problems from different angles, challenge assumptions, and develop more comprehensive and effective solutions. It also helps to ensure that the benefits of STEM research and innovation are shared equitably across different communities. Furthermore, promoting diversity in STEM fields can help address longstanding inequalities and barriers that have prevented underrepresented groups from accessing STEM education and careers. By creating a more diverse and inclusive STEM community, we can foster a culture of innovation, promote social and economic progress, and improve the quality of life for people around the world.

10 ways to make STEM more inclusive in higher ed

As mentioned, the STEM fields continue to be characterized by a lack of diversity and inclusion, with women and minorities being underrepresented. Here are ten ways to make STEM education more inclusive in higher education:

1. Increase diversity in STEM faculty: Increasing the diversity in science faculty can help promote a more inclusive learning environment and provide role models for underrepresented students.
2. Provide mentorship opportunities: Mentorship programs can help provide support and guidance to underrepresented students in STEM fields.
3. Promote STEM outreach to underrepresented communities: Outreach programs can help increase interest in STEM fields among underrepresented communities and encourage them to pursue STEM education.
4. Offer diversity and inclusion training for faculty and staff: Providing training on diversity and inclusion can help faculty and staff understand and address the unique challenges faced by underrepresented students in STEM fields.
5. Support student-led organizations: Supporting student-led organizations focused on diversity and inclusion in STEM can help create a more inclusive learning environment and provide a sense of community for underrepresented students.
6. Create more flexible STEM curricula: Creating more flexible STEM curricula that accommodate the diverse learning styles and backgrounds of students can help promote more inclusive and equitable education. 
7. Encourage interdisciplinary collaborations: Encouraging interdisciplinary collaborations between STEM and non-STEM fields can help create a more holistic and inclusive approach to problem-solving. Discussions can be a great way to engage students, even those who may not always feel comfortable participating. Top Hat’s inclusive discussion tool sparks conversations where students are encouraged to share their thoughts through a number of formats.
8. Provide financial support for underrepresented students: Providing financial support for underrepresented students in STEM fields can help reduce financial barriers and increase access to STEM education.
9. Increase awareness of implicit bias: Raising awareness of implicit bias can help faculty and staff recognize and address their own biases and promote a more inclusive learning environment. This can also help bring equity issues in science education to light. 
10. Conduct research on diversity and inclusion in STEM education: Conducting research on diversity and inclusion in STEM education can help identify effective strategies for promoting equity and inclusion in STEM fields, cementing why diversity in science is so important.

Conclusion

STEM equity is crucial for creating a more innovative, equitable, and prosperous society. The STEM fields have the potential to drive progress and solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges, but this potential can only be fully realized if we promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. By bringing together people with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, we can foster innovation and creativity, develop more effective solutions to complex problems, and ensure that the benefits of STEM research and innovation are shared equitably across different communities. Additionally, promoting diversity in STEM can help address longstanding inequalities and barriers that have prevented underrepresented groups from accessing STEM education and careers. It is essential that we continue to work towards creating a more diverse and inclusive STEM community to realize the full potential of these critical fields.