Barriers Preventing Girls from Choosing STEM and Computing: Perceptions of High School Female Students

• Josilene Aires UFPB
• Giorgia Mattos UFPB
• Chaenne Oliveira UFPB
• Andréa Brito UFPB
• Ana Flávia Aragão UFPB
• Sanny Alves UFPB
• Thiago Coelho UFPB
• Gabriel Moreira UFPB

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5753/wit.2018.3378

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the reasons that make it difficult for women to choose courses and careers in the area of Science, Technology and Computing. Based on the testimonies of high school students from the State of Paraíba collected in 2016 and 2017, we find that the main perceived barriers are: sexism, the idea that women are 'incapable' of dealing with technology, the fact of the technological area being predominantly masculine and the prejudgment that Computing is 'a man thing', among others. The intervention project conducted by the authors seeks to change this reality through lectures, debates, training workshops and technical visits, influencing the professional choices and the future of the students.

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