How Science Clubs Can Support Girls’ Interest in Science

Abstract

Enter any classroom across Canada, ask children to describe a scientist, and you will likely hear about brilliant, but crazy old men in lab coats and goggles doing dangerous experiments (the mad scientist). Stereotypes such as this, however, can affect an individual’s likelihood to take science courses, and the attention he or she gives to the studies of the sciences.The Canadian Association for Girls in Science (CAGIS) attempts to break the scientist stereotype, and to facilitate interest and confidence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by holding regular events with fun, hands-on activities led by women and men in STEM-related fields.