UK schools must do more to encourage girls to study physics

BBC : A recent study by the UK’s Institute of Physics shows that boys still dominate the field of physics in English state schools. In 2011 physics was the 4th most popular subject among boys but only 19th for girls. In fact, the study found that nearly half the schools had no girls going on to study physics at the university level. Because more than twice as many girls from all-girls schools go on to study physics than do those from coeducational schools, the researchers believe that physics may be “uniquely stereotyped in many mixed schools as a boys’ subject,” writes Pallab Ghosh for the BBC. That is unfortunate because physics offers exciting career opportunities, and salaries of physics graduates have been found to be well above the national average. The study recommends that schools set targets to increase the number of girls studying physics, challenge stereotypes that prevent girls from pursuing physics careers, and increase recognition of female role models.