When Are We Going to Have the Next Marie Skłodowska-Curie? According to a Study by the Adamed Foundation, Female High School Students Lack Confidence in Their Ability to Do Science

7 November marks the anniversary of the birth of Maria Skłodowska-Curie, the only woman to date to be twice honoured with the Nobel Prize. A survey of teenage female science enthusiasts[1] shows that the scientist remains the biggest idol, with as many as 85% of respondents mentioning her. On the other hand, this year’s Adamed Foundation survey[2] shows that as many as one in three female high school students believe they have no aptitude for science. Can this be changed and how?

Best at everything

Polish teenagers are most strongly motivated to learn by two things – and almost equally. First: concern for their future (higher earnings – 42%), and second: the desire for self-fulfilment (40%). The study found that ambition is a more likely driver for girls. More female respondents admitted that they cared about pursuing a prestigious profession (30% vs. 20%). In addition, up to twice as many female students surveyed said that they were driven to scientific development by the desire to be the best, and at absolutely everything (20% vs. 10%). Girls are also more often motivated by fear of disappointing themselves (26% vs. 15%) or disappointing others (15% vs. 9%).

And what clips the wings? Female students are more likely than male students to be discouraged when they perform poorly (34% vs. 20% of responses) or observe that others are doing better (22% vs. 12%). As many as one in four female respondents said they had less enthusiasm for development because they felt they were not “good enough”. Lower self-confidence completes the picture – almost half of the teenage girls surveyed (44%) revealed that they lacked it. The same answer was given by one in four surveyed boys. However, it is worth noting that only a very small percentage of female students never feel motivated to learn (6%).

Born humanists?

The results indicate that girls are more likely than boys to rate themselves as more predisposed to the humanities (34% vs. 20%), arts (30% vs. 11%) and natural sciences (23% vs. 12%). Nearly 40% of male students said that learning science comes easily to them, but a similar answer was given by only one in four female students. Significantly, girls are much more likely than boys to believe that an aptitude for science is innate. In the group that declared difficulties, twice as many girls (34%) as boys (16%) explained it by a lack of “talent”. On the other hand, in the group of female students who like science subjects and have no problems with them, as many as 75% of respondents believe that an interest in science is natural in their case.

“From the results of our survey, a picture emerges of a Polish female student with high aspirations and expectations of herself. This is great news. However, girls are much more likely than boys to build self-esteem in relation to those around them. The data explains why they are less likely to choose science classes. At some point in their lives, something or someone caused them to believe that one must be born with a talent for such subjects.  Boys look at things differently – if they are interested in something, they go in that direction and don’t think about whether they have a special aptitude,” explains Katarzyna Dubno, Member of the Management Board of Adamed Foundation, further arguing that: “The task of the broader education system should be to give girls confidence in their own abilities. We must appreciate their curiosity about the world, making attempts, and commitment. And to repeat after Maria Skłodowska -Curie: “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood”.

Scientists wanted

According to this year’s Future of Jobs report[3] presented at the World Economic Forum, the labour market will be shaped by technological change. The occupations that are gaining ground the fastest are also related to technology, such as AI, machine learning and the development of advanced engineering. That is why it’s so important to promote exact and natural sciences among young people, including girls. Those with competencies in these particular areas will have the most job and development opportunities in the market.

Meanwhile, teenagers are not sufficiently aware of the changes, with the largest number of female respondents (51%) indicating social studies as the one that will allow them to find the most attractive jobs. Science-related majors were mentioned by only 1/3 of respondents. At the same time, as many as 63% of female students say it is very difficult to get a place at such courses, and 61% say they require much more effort than humanities majors.

“We asked students what would encourage them to try their hand at a career in STEM fields. Regardless of gender, they mostly mentioned the right teacher who could inspire them to learn. As many as 74% of those surveyed said this. Girls were more likely than boys to mention access to educational tools, such as a laboratory – such a need was reported by as many as 72% of female respondents. 60% of those surveyed also said that special educational programmes that offer interesting forms of learning could be helpful. This fills us with considerable optimism, because for almost a decade we have been supporting students interested in science to develop their potential through the ADAMED SmartUP programme,” says Katarzyna Dubno, Adamed Foundation.

The ADAMED SmartUP educational and scholarship programme offers young people aged 14-18 access to passionate experts, laboratory facilities of Poland’s top universities and an inspiring scientific community. Recruitment for the 10th edition of the programme is currently underway. The first stage consists of a scientific online game that tests not textbook knowledge, but the ability to think analytically and find out-of-the-box solutions. For more information, visit www.adamedsmartup.pl.

[1] Survey conducted using the CAWI method by the Adamed Foundation from 1 September to 15 December 2022 on a sample of 1,000 adolescents aged 14-19, registered for the 9th edition of the ADAMED SmartUP programme.

[2] Survey conducted using the CAWI method by SW Research on behalf of the Adamed Foundation from 12 to 23 June 2023 on a nationwide sample of 336 high school and technical school students.

[3] The Future of Jobs Report 2023, www.weforum.org.