SEPnet has CPD workshops available for both primary and secondary school teachers on gender stereotyping and unconscious bias in STEM. This is based on our Shattering Stereotype schools programme. 

Shattering Stereotypes is a SEPnet project that tackles and raises awareness of gender stereotyping in schools and how it can affect subject choice at GCSE.

This teacher training session focuses on key issues of gender stereotyping in schools and how you can overcome them in your school.

In the last few years research by the Institute of Physics (IOP) has shown that the lack of young women taking physics at A-Level is part of a wider problem; gender stereotyping in schools. The report Closing Doors concluded that schools which had low numbers of doing physics also had a small number of boys and young men taking subjects which were stereotypically seen as ‘girl subjects’ by the pupils. Following this the IOP ran the Opening Doors project which generated a best practice guide for schools looking to tackle gender stereotyping.

From the point of view of the SEPnet partners the lack of diversity in physics is a problem they want to tackle as potential undergraduate physics students are being put-off from studying the subject. Projects aiming to increase the diversity of students taking A-Level physics are then seen as growing the pool of potential physics undergraduates.

During the CPD session you will:

  1. Understand how gender stereotyping effects subject choice at GSCE, A level and in STEM careers.
  2. Discuss STEM career opportunities based on personality types and look at diverse case studies.
  3. Explore ways to mitigate gender stereotyping in your school and communicate these issues with students, other teachers and parents.

This CPD session will enable you to:

  1. Kick-start a discussion in your schools on how gender stereotyping is affecting different subjects and therefore influencing subject choice.
  2. Become a gender champion in your school.
  3. Communicate with students, parents, other teachers about why tackling gender stereotyping is important.

For more information or to arrange for us to deliver a CPD session please contact: outreach@sepnet.ac.uk