Encouragement Encouragement from the teacher also plays an important role in the behavior of girls and boys in the classroom. For example, teachers tend to communicate with boys in the classroom 10 percent more than they do with girls. This attention may encourage boys to participate more in the classroom. In comparison, of the criticism that is received by boys, only 50 percent is directed to the overall quality of their work. Classroom Materials Classroom materials can have a great effect on the gender gap in science.
Many teaching aids present a biased view of women's roles in science.
Textbooks and lecture materials often have little or no representation of successful women in the field of science. Movies that are shown to illustrate science experiments and science occupations also lack representation of women. Although these movies are intended to educate the students on the material, they simultaneously teach girls that science is strictly for men. Because they do not see women represented in these movies, they lack female role models in the science field. Include activities that give students the opportunity to perform themselves.