Bridging the Gender Gap in STEM:
Systemic Barriers, Effective Interventions, and Innovative Solutions

The gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematical (STEM) fields remain a significant challenge, despite current progress in gender equality. Women account for only 27% of the STEM workforce, with even lower representation in fields such as engineering and leadership roles. Our thesis explores the many causes to this disparity, focusing on lack of mentorship and role models, implicit biases, inadequate family support, lack of educational reform, and media representation. The research conducted for this thesis highlights how the societal perception of women and STEM fields discourages girls from being interested in science and math fields, as well as the systemic barriers that exist to push women out of STEM fields. We will review the current interventions that target the gender gap, as well as each solution’s effectiveness. Going forward, the following writing focuses on the possible improvements to these interventions. The conclusion of our research is that creating accessible and less intimidating connections to resources, as well as leaving positive and strong impressions on younger women can be the most effective method for breaking down the barriers women face to enter and remain in STEM fields. The deliverable of our thesis is a free website, accessible to anyone with internet access with design features that attract a younger, more female audience. It aims to introduce young women from middle school-on to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a way that is not intimidating, as well as easy to navigate. The website includes a general introduction to different STEM majors and careers, a major mapping quiz based on interests and skills, mentorship connections relating to Arizona State University, implicit bias testing, and information about organizations for middle to college level that focus on women in STEM. Overall, we conclude that the research conducted supports that the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics is caused by systemic barriers which, in turn, create a cultural perception of women in the workplace. This often discourages women from being interested or confident in pursuing STEM careers and education. After reviewing existing literature, the organized thesis claims that, in order to shorten the gender gap, we must focus on creating a neutral and inclusive education that does not intimidate girls from pursuing STEM careers.