Increasing the participation of girls in Physics is a topic on which there has been much research and imaginative programs developed. This list is a reasonably comprehensive collection. If you know of other useful resources, please pass them on to Vicphysics. To find out about the Vicphysics Girls in Physics Breakfasts program, click here.
Resources, Research, Reports, Commentary, News stories, Images and Videos
Resources
Women in Science
Brief biographies of 16 women who had a career in or made a significant contribution to a scientific discipline.
TechnoGirl
A cartoon strip about a girl who does work experience at an engineering dept at a university. An ABC initiative. Reasonably engaging without being too preachy.
Contributions of 20th Century Women to Physics
The website has information on 83 female physicists, who are grouped by research interest. Each person has a page about their contributions, publications, honours, positions and comments.
Women in STEM
This STELR website has videos and profiles of over 20 women across a range of careers. There are also links to other STEM resources.
Girls in Physics: Teacher Resources
Several IOP publications available through STEM Education (UK) including ‘Girls in the Physics Classroom’ A Teacher’s Guide and questionnaires, as well as advice on action research.
Women on the Manhattan Project
The website has information on the physicists, engineers and military personnel involved in the Manhattan Project. It also has information on several of the prominent female physicists on the 20th century.
Encouraging Girls in Math and Science: A Practice Guide
A 2007 report by the US Institute of Education Sciences in the National Centre for Education Research. 55 page pdf file.
GEMS Club
Girls Excelling in Maths and Science (GEMS) clubs are a US initiative for upper primary age students. The activities page included activities for Physics as well as Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Maths and Computing. Also check out GEM Club Tool kit</>/
Profiles of Women in Science including Astronomy
This webpage has links to various female astronomers; including Henrietta Leavitt and Maria Mitchell. There are also links to other notable women in history if you are looking for some positive role models for female students.
Women in Science including Astronomy
An Introductory Resource Guide to Materials on Women in Astronomy. There is information of 16 female astronomers from the past and 17 living astronomers. There is also an extensive list o written resources, websites. The website is by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, so it has useful general astronomical resources.
How Irène Curie and Lise Meitner Revolutionized Science and Changed the World
This is the author, Winifred Conkling’s website. It has information about her 240 page book which is written for students aged 12 and above. It is available from most bookshops for about $37 and from Kindle for about $10. The website has a teacher’s guide and an essay by the author about writing the book.
Engineer Girl
An engaging US website for students with sections on Engineers (stories, interviews, engineers from history), What they do (careers, ideas, solutions designs, impacts) and How to get there (explore possibilities, design challenges).
Introduce a Girl to Engineering
A campaign to bring out the engineer in every girl. Includes tips, videos and kits to engage girls in engineering
Women in the High Energy Universe
Experiences and perspectives of careers, from the women working at Chandra X-ray Observatory.
Research
Why don’t girls choose physics? 600 kB
presented by Jane Coyle, Marian College, Sunshine at the 2008 Physics Teachers Conference.
Why girls don’t choose Physics? Research paper 312 kB
Written by Jane Coyle, Marian College, Sunshine and presented at the 2008 Physics Teachers Conference.
Why Girls don’t choose Physics?: Audio 64 kB
Presentation by Jane Coyle, Marian College, Sunshine, at the 2008 Physics Teachers Conference. (60 min)
Girls in Physics: Increasing their number in post compulsory physics 134 kB
Victoria Millar, Melbourne Girls’ College, Dr Maurizio Toscano, Faculty of Education, The University of Melbourne
Reviewing the participation of girls in physics 44 kB
Support notes from the talk by Dr Christina Hart at the 2007 Physics Teachers Conference.
The Cultural Production of Science in Reform-based Physics: Girls’ Access, Participation, and Resistance
An article by Heidi B. Carlone from the School of Education, The University of North Carolina. It was published in the Journal of Research in Science Teaching in 2004. Abstract: Recent literature in science education suggests that, to transform girls’ participation, learning, and identities within school science, we must think about ways to engage girls in different kinds of educational activities that promote broader meanings of science and scientist. This study was designed to examine more deeply this call for a changed science curriculum and its implications for girls’ participation, interest, and emerging science identities.
Reports
American Institute of Physics: Women in Physics
Reports of successive International Studies of Women in Physics. More than 1350 women physicists from more than 70 countries answered a survey conducted in connection with the IUPAP International Conferences of Women in Physics. The report covers women physicists’ experiences in education and careers. Comparisons are made between women from developed and developing countries.
Generation STEM: What girls say about Science, Technology Engineering and Math
A 44 page report by the Girl Scout Institute (US) produced in 2012. The aim of the report is to explore how girls can better
become engaged in STEM through examination of what girls themselves say are their interests and perceptions about these important fields.
Commentary
A blogspot by a theoretical physicist
A blogspot on science and other matters by Sabine Hossenfelder, Assistant professor of High Energy and Nuclear Physics. The page of this link is on Women and Physics.
News stories
Women explore the frontiers of Physics
An article on MSNBC with stories about several women currently active in physics in the US. It is part of a series of articles on ‘A century of Einstein’.
The LHC runs on woman power
An extended article from the CERN Courier of April, 2008.
Why do so few girls elect to do Physics at A level?
BBC radio interview
Images and Videos
Physics – Girls
In these two videos, a UK physics teacher, Barry Berndes demonstrates how he keeps his female students motivated and engaged by following the five golden rules for Girls in Physics.
Girls speak out
A short video from teachers.tv in the UK. Three young women go back to school to find out what turns girls away from physics, asking what can be done to improve the situation.