Q2. Girls aren't seeing themselves as people who will like a career like being a machinist. But some girls in NY tried a CAD class after being encouraged to do that by Matt, their track coach, and found they loved it and will go into that career. "and make boatloads of money"

There are very few female role models in traditionally male careers.

Q3. Certain fields are for men and others are for women. The idea of being "brilliant". Matt teaches a basic woodworking. It isn't the stereotype you might think. Girls are great in this class.

Girls need encouragement from educators.

A2. Yes, there is a gender gap. It is societal and historical. We need to provide access, and promote it to our girls. We also need to work on the boys, so that things like "Gamergate" don't happen.

A3. The stereotype associated with STEM is typically a white male. This can dissuade girls and students of color from pursuing STEM. They need to be shown examples of women and minorities in the field, and there should be efforts to recruit the students who do not fit the "mold."

Keeps US competitive in a global economy - common language across cultures/countries

Gives our students real skills for job market

The world is changing, this helps us keep up, computer literacy, an "access point"

A background in STEM increases our efficiency.

#2 - yes there is gender gap due to exposure, risk-taking nature, background of the teacher (do you only see male teachers in STEM area?), how media portrays women in STEM areas, gender stereotypes, even course choices show gender gap. Need to start YOUNG!

#3 -

Technology field is over crowded with men, and the low ratio is intimidating to many women. This is a self perpetuating issue. 

We feel that female students lose something, some sense of confidence between the early elementary school years. We feel that to close this gap we have to look at the attitudes of people involved in their education, and make it more acceptable for them to fail and try again.

Looking more at the application may help get more girls involved in STEM. 

Helping girls to learn to take risks may also help them get more into STEM fields. How can we do this?