ABSTRACT
Some studies have demonstrated that women are more powerful role models than men, resulting in female college students making more of an effort on a math exam, having stronger feelings of competence in STEM, and identifying implicitly more with STEM fields, and that these changes were driven by identification and feelings of connection with the role models. STEM programs that bring in role models for girls typically try to include women who share characteristics such as race or ethnic background with participants. For many years, at least some television shows have depicted females as physicians, but more recently, programs have begun to expose girls to other STEM careers such as forensic and computer scientists. Parents have long known that their actions have a significant impact on their children.
