Girls are still under-represented in science, especially in math and computer science. These differences can be seen at all levels, whether in high school or in higher education, as in certain professions. To encourage greater diversity in these environments, the Women and Mathematics association is organizing with the Animath association and with the support of the Blaise Pascal Foundation meeting days between high school girls and women scientists, such as the one on Thursday, December 16 in Paris, at the Henri Poincaré Institute.
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The idea is in particular to show the hundred teenagers present different profiles of scientists. Azélie testifies in front of a small group of students in first class, captivated by the brilliant career of the student. “I am a student in the second year of a master’s degree in mathematics. The objective is to do a thesis and research”, she explains to high school students. “When did you know you wanted to do prep?”, asks Angèle, 16 years old. She and her friends find that they don’t talk to them enough about science: “For example, the girls to make their choice for Parcoursup, we are not going to tell them directly you are going to do that while the boys are told that they will do math and physics. It is obvious to them. whereas the girls must be afraid. They haven’t seen enough female scientists who can show them that in fact it is possible. “
To propose models, inspiring examples, it is precisely the goal of this day. One of the speakers, Marie, is an IT developer for a software publisher: “I never really thought about it. My dad did that and it just felt natural to go towards that.” She has had role models in her family, but not everyone has. She therefore modestly accepts to serve as an example for teenage girls today. “I don’t feel legitimate to be a mega-model but anyway I’m in it and I’m fine. So it shows that it exists, that it looks nice and that I look normal and in my place “, she laughs.
The other objective of this day is also to deconstruct the many gender stereotypes linked to the choice of specialty: science for boys and social health for girls. Clichés that persist and the high school reform does not help, says one of the organizers of the meetings between high school girls and students. “There are more girls who went to the S stream because it was the baccalaureate of excellence, explains Véronique Slovacek Chauveau. Now that there are no longer any channels, the choices are even more stereotypical. “ In high school, only 13% of students who take the digital and computer sciences (NSI) or the engineering sciences (IS) specialty are girls. The Filles et maths association regularly organizes this type of day, the next one being held on January 11, in Laval.
A day to encourage girls to pursue scientific careers – Noémie Bonnin
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