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Column Can girls STEM the tide of emigration?

Misconceptions about science, technology, engineering and mathematics are dissuading girls from taking them as subjects – doing a disservice to them and wider society, writes Dr Kirsten Foy.

DESPITE HIGH LEVELS of unemployment, there is huge demand in Ireland for engineers, particularly in the biomedical and IT sectors. Foreign engineers are immigrating to Ireland, while many young Irish people are emigrating.

The problem begins at school. Many second-level students, particularly girls, do not even consider STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects and are unaware of the security of employment that STEM courses can provide.

A recent Accenture report showed that misconceptions about STEM courses are particularly widespread among girls: 44 per cent of Irish girls believe STEM courses are more suited to boys, and 10 per cent worry that they would be the only girl in the class. The study also showed that parents are a significant influence on students’ subject choices at second and third level but that parents also have misconceptions, with 34 per cent believing STEM subjects are ‘more difficult’ than other subjects. To employ more Irish engineers in our technical sector we need to overcome these misconceptions among parents and students, girls in particular.

The ‘soft subject’ myth

Parents worry that students might achieve lower points in science and mathematics than in other subjects, but is this true? It is easier to obtain full marks in a subject with a definite right or wrong answer than in a more subjective subject. Typically, STEM subjects require learning a relatively small number of rules to be applied in the examination, whereas other subjects often require memorising huge amounts of information.

It’s hard to argue STEM subjects are more difficult when 9–15 per cent of students obtain A1s in physics and applied mathematics, but only 3–6 per cent achieve this grade in business and history. At third level there is an extensive range of engineering and other STEM courses available, catering for a wide range of abilities. Contrary to popular belief, not all engineering courses require higher-level mathematics or high points. The vast majority of Leaving Certificate students are eligible for entry to at least one of the third-level engineering courses available.

Gender stereotypes

The perception that STEM is ‘more suited to boys’ has been found to be partly due to a lack of female role models in these careers. There are already a number of initiatives under way to address this. This perception may also be related to two rather old-fashioned beliefs: that girls are more suited to careers that require ‘soft skills’ such as personal interaction, and that STEM courses and careers depend solely on logic and mathematics. These beliefs must be challenged and corrected. We now know that individuals’ skills vary widely; many girls are suited to careers that were previously male-dominated and vice versa.

Also, as computers have become capable of performing increasingly difficult tasks, the role of an engineer is focused far less on the ability to perform calculations or accurately draw machinery. Nowadays engineers require skills such as the ability to negotiate, to manage people, and to see the bigger picture.

It’s also wrong to assume that engineers have to get their hands dirty – many engineers work in offices or laboratories. For example, a biomedical engineer might design medical devices for patients with heart problems, a software engineer could find themselves developing a videogame, or a mechanical engineer could work on anything from industrial robots to renewable energy.

Many are begin held back by misconceptions

In Ireland only 10 per cent of engineering graduates in Ireland are women, compared with up to 34 per cent in some other countries, so there must be many Irish girls suited to engineering who are being held back by these misconceptions. Second-level students and their parents should be aware that engineering and other STEM courses could offer a great career with the possibility of staying in Ireland while earning a good wage. Remember: it’s not too late for a CAO ‘change of mind’ form!

For more information on STEM careers, visit SmartFutures.ie or steps.ie

Dr Kirsten Foy is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with Parsons Brinckerhoff and a member of Engineers Ireland.

Parsons Brinckerhoff is a leader in developing and operating infrastructure, offering strategic consulting, planning, engineering, and programme/construction management. It is part of Balfour Beatty plc, the international infrastructure group operating in professional services, construction services, support services and infrastructure investments.

Engineers Ireland is one of the largest representative bodies on the island of Ireland, with almost 23,000 engineers, incorporating all disciplines of the engineering profession in Ireland across industry, public service, semi-state organisations and academia.

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29 Comments
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    Mute gary kelly
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 8:24 PM

    The man has had nearly every Victorias secret model going. He deserves an Oscar for that alone.LEGEND!!!!

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    Mute Mick
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 8:46 PM

    He was fantastic in Blood Diamond. If Denzel got one for Training Day then Leonardo Di Caprio deserves several.

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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 8:51 PM

    well said.. Training day was absolute drivel…… But it wasn’t the acting densel got it for that year which is a shame, as it tarnishes his award….

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    Mute Richard Cynical
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    Oct 24th 2015, 7:37 AM

    just give the man an Oscar

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    Mute gordon kennedy
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 8:27 PM

    Should have got the gong for django.. He was immense in that..

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    Mute Karol Doran
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 9:33 PM

    He stole the show. Incredible performance.

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    Mute Supernova
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 8:18 PM

    How he hasn’t got an Oscar yet is beyond me, he should be in with a shout out his year with this film look epic. Watched beasts of no nation on Netflix last night, and the supporting actor, just a kid (Abraham attah) deserves an Oscar for his performance, best child acting I’ve ever seen.

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    Mute Margaret Daly
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 8:26 PM

    last one seen shutter island. brilliant!

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    Mute mike litoris
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 8:29 PM

    He should have got an Oscar for basketball diaries.

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    Mute Alan O'Driscoll
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 8:34 PM

    What film would ya give him the oscar for though? Whilst I love pretty much all of his work, I don’t think I’ve seen him in a quintessential Oscar role until this one.

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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 8:36 PM

    He should have got one for Wolf of Wall Street, epic film.

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    Mute Supernova
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 8:41 PM

    he studied the YouTube video of “the drunkest man in the world” before doing the drunk/drug drinking scene lol

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    Mute Alan O'Driscoll
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 8:42 PM

    Yeah, immense film but not really an oscar performance. His performance in that is never gonna be better than the McConaissance in Dallas Buyers club.

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    Mute Karol Doran
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 9:35 PM

    He should have gotten best supporting oscar for his role in Django Unchained.

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    Mute Colm Connolly
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 11:43 PM

    no Christopher waltz fulles deserved his oscar from the same movie

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    Mute Alan Walsh
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 8:11 PM

    It looks claaaaaaaass

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    Mute Beachmaster
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 8:29 PM

    Jesus, give him an Oscar before he does something silly.

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    Mute Jamsey
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 8:34 PM

    Before??? Did you read the article?? The lad has gone full “Daniel Day Lewis”….

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    Mute Eamonn Connaghan
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 9:08 PM

    Never, ever, go full Daniel day Lewis.

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    Mute ChocSaltyBallz
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    Oct 24th 2015, 12:51 AM

    ain’t nottin but a ting ain’t nottin but a ting

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    Mute Eugene Walsh
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 9:04 PM

    Should a got ozzie for this boys life . A mediocre movie but his acting at that age alongside De Niro and the kicking De Niro gave him was pretty intense

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    Mute burner
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 8:32 PM

    ditto for wolf of wall street

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    Mute John Collins
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 8:33 PM

    He should have gotten the Oscar for Revolutionary Road and Django Unchained. Also, eating bison liver isn’t a big deal.

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    Mute Pedro Brasco
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    Oct 24th 2015, 9:00 AM

    Ya but eating raw bison liver is a big deal.

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    Mute TellingItAsItIs
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 8:26 PM

    The poor divil! I sincerely hope his wage helps dull this dreadfully traumatic experience.

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    Mute Declan O'meara
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 11:32 PM

    Had the pleasure of meeting him once in new York city , very down to earth guy and no bull shit out of him either , very witty

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    Mute .
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 8:13 PM

    He should try acting

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    Mute mike litoris
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 8:51 PM

    When he’s finished riding his supermodel girlfriend on a private yacht,hopefully he’ll take the time to log into the journal and read your comment. That will get his motivation for success going.

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    Mute Padraig Piarais Mac AnTsaoir
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 9:16 PM

    Mike, if you were here, I would munch on you till dawn.

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    Mute Alan O'connor
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 8:42 PM

    Inarittu is a total fraud. 21 Grams, Babel, Birdman. The emperor wearing absolutely no clothes. I suspect this will be drivel as well. I like DiCaprio but his quality control is gone to the dogs lately.

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    Mute Karol Doran
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 9:37 PM

    Nonsense. I can’t remember him ever doing a poor movie. He produces non stop quality performances.

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    Mute William Boyd
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 10:27 PM

    Have to agree with Alan about the director a bit like that Wes Anderson another emperor with no clothes.

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    Mute Paddy
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 11:49 PM

    I like the grand Budapest hotel in fairness.

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    Mute William Boyd
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    Oct 24th 2015, 12:18 AM

    From a personal perspective Paddy for me it was like pulling teeth with a pliers without anesthetic.

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    Mute Gary Kennedy
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 8:13 PM

    Anything for an Oscar

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    Mute Neil Cash
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    Oct 24th 2015, 9:58 AM

    I know a lot of jokes are made about Leo’s failures at Oscar level but regardless he does have one of the most impressive backlog of film around – this looks to continue that with this. I really like him and hope this gets him the Oscar nod

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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Oct 23rd 2015, 8:29 PM

    Dances With Bears?

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    Mute M
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    Oct 24th 2015, 7:28 AM

    Fassbender as Jobs willl be a condender too, he looks like he nails the role

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    Mute Kate Reddin
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    Oct 24th 2015, 9:01 AM

    He was nominared for best supporting actor in “whats eating gilbert grape”. He should have won for definate but didn’t and that was 20 years ago. He is constantly snubbed at the oscars so they must have a problem with him. The only film he wasn’t amazing in was titanic and I don’t blame him for that

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    Mute Robert Allen
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    Oct 24th 2015, 8:32 AM

    Superb actor

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Oct 24th 2015, 10:32 PM

    Is he mad?

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