Where’s Marie Curie? GCSE science ‘fails to credit women’

Marie Curie was the first person to win a Nobel prize in two different branches of science but that is apparently not enough to merit a mention on the GCSE science curriculum — although 85 men do feature. Now a report from Cambridge academics has found that girls could be put off taking science and maths A-levels because of the dearth of women on the syllabus. Most commented 1 The Horses review — lunch with an influencer, Topjaw’s Jesse Burgess Food & Drink 93 comments 2 Tripsnacking? Finally a travel trend I can get on board with Advice 55 comments 3 My father’s Facebook posts about ‘our special angel’ make me cringe Parenting 32 comments 4 Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall: ‘My kids tell me to back off when they cook’ The Sunday Times Magazine 23 comments 5 Bill Bailey: A heckler told me to get a haircut — I refused for 40 years Theatre & Dance 34 comments The researchers found that female scientists’ breakthroughs were covered but not credited. They said minor changes to exams to include a wider range of role models could inspire more girls to study physics and maths at A-level and beyond, and pinpointed specific places where the accomplishments of women could easily be added. Richard Drury/Getty IMAGES Teachers are not prevented from giving lessons on female scientists but mainly stick to materials that will be covered in GCSE exams. Rosalind Franklin is the only woman named in the GCSE syllabus, along with 85 men who have contributed to science. At A-level, three women receive an acknowledgment, along with 178 men. Top stories 1 Tripsnacking? Finally a travel trend I can get on board with Advice 2 Belgium’s most stylish autumn weekend break — and it’s not Bruges Belgium 3 17 of the best cruise lines for solo travellers Cruises 4 This cosy hotel is perfect for an autumnal trip to the Lake District Lake District 5 How to see the northern lights: 15 top tips Adventure The study, published in the British Educational Research Journal, analysed the UK’s six main exam boards’ specifications across science subjects. Franklin had only one mention, despite her work on x-ray crystallography leading to the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA. Advertisement The researchers, who analysed biology, chemistry, environmental science, geology, physics and astronomy materials, said several of the scientific breakthroughs taught were made by women who were not explicitly included in the compulsory learning material. Top stories 1 Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall: ‘My kids tell me to back off when they cook’ The Sunday Times Magazine 2 From gold to tech stocks: how to build the perfect investment portfolio Saving & Investing 3 High street banks are on borrowed time Saving & Investing 4 Belgium’s most stylish autumn weekend break — and it’s not Bruges Belgium Instead the onus was placed on individual teachers to highlight these achievements in the classroom. Meet Quantum Girl, the physics graduate becoming a science sensation The paper claimed the absence of women could also contribute to the gender gap in scientific careers. Girls typically outperform boys in the majority of science, technology, engineering and maths ( Stem ) subjects at GCSE. However, physics, maths and further maths have a significantly higher uptake at A-level among boys, with the percentage of girls choosing to study maths and further maths lower than it was in 2005. Advertisement The researchers said: “At GCSE, students encounter physics specifications saturated with mentions of men scientists at the precise developmental stage when they must choose subjects to study at A-level. Biology and chemistry, by contrast, contain fewer mentions overall at this level. “Physics, the subject with the highest representation of scientists who are men at GCSE, experiences a dramatic decline in the number of [female pupils] at A-level.” Mothers who fear maths pass it on to their girls, says Akshata Murty While acknowledging this was one factor within a broader set of structural and cultural influences, the paper added: “This transition point may be critical for retention, highlighting a potential avenue for improving girls’ participation in Stem.” Marie Curie giving a lecture at the Conservatory of Arts and Crafts, Paris, in 1925 Jacques Boyer/Roger Viollet/Getty Images They recommended that Franklin should be included in all biology specifications. Marie Sklodowska-Curie, who won Nobel prizes in both physics and chemistry, discovered polonium and radium and coined the term “radioactivity”, should be included in discussions around atomic structure and isotopes in GCSE chemistry, they added. Advertisement Lise Meitner, a physicist who was involved in the discovery of nuclear fission and provided the first theoretical explanation of the process but was never awarded a Nobel prize, was named as an ideal role model for inclusion in GCSE physics. Greg Cooke, one of the study’s authors, said: “The women we recommend for the updated science specifications have helped shape the modern world. How did Susan Solomon help save the ozone layer? How did Lise Meitner’s work eventually lead to the dawn of the nuclear age? It is long overdue that we teach these inspiring stories about women.” Skyla White, a co-author of the study, said: “Despite years of effort to achieve gender parity in science, it is disappointing that students in the UK can complete their science education without learning the names of the women behind the scientific discoveries they study. “It’s fantastic that students learn about the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram, for example, but it was built on the work of Annie Jump Cannon, who is not mentioned.” A Department for Education spokeswoman said: “This research highlights a real issue — girls should see the contribution women have made in Stem and be able to picture themselves in the same position, shaping the future. Advertisement “We are committed to improving the school curriculum over the coming years, and as part of that will make sure every girl can see where their learning can take them, with the confidence and opportunity to pursue science, technology, engineering and maths. “We are also giving young people access to inspiring role models through programmes such as Stem ambassadors, helping to challenge outdated stereotypes about who belongs in Stem.” A spokesman for the Joint Council for Qualifications, which represents exam boards, said: “Exam boards recognise that there is a clear need for greater representation in science qualifications, and this is an area they will be focusing on as these qualifications are reformed.” Vera Rubin Carnegie Institution of Washington The pioneering female scientists British students aren’t taught about Marie Sklodowska-Curie: won Nobel prizes in physics and chemistry Annie Jump Cannon: astronomer who developed the stellar classification system still used today Lise Meitner: Austrian-Swedish nuclear physicist who fled Nazi Germany and was involved in the discovery of nuclear fission Vera Rubin: American astronomer who provided robust evidence for dark matter Stephanie Kwolek: chemist who in 1965 invented Kevlar, the lightweight, heat-resistant fabric five times stronger than steel