Do We Still Need Girls-Only Spaces in STEM? 🚀👩🏽💻
As we settle into the rhythm of a new school year, many educators are noticing a familiar trend: girls continue to be underrepresented in STEM programs. As an education consultant, I’m often asked two related questions: do we still need girls-only spaces in STEM, and what do those spaces look like in 2025? The short answer is yes. These programs are more essential than ever. Today, girls-only spaces are inclusive, girl-centered environments that spotlight skills, problem-solving methods, and ways of collaborating that have historically been undervalued in traditional STEM settings. The goal is to help girls, and youth who are most supported in a girl-focused environment, build skills and confidence that carry back into coed spaces.
Understanding the Confidence Gap
One reason these spaces are crucial is the cultural messaging boys and girls receive. Boys often feel inherently entitled to STEAM spaces, walking in with confidence from a young age. A 2019 National Science Foundation report noted that boys as young as eight were more likely to express confidence in tech skills than girls the same age (NSF, 2019). Girls, on the other hand, often feel they must prove they belong, rather than feeling automatically welcome. Girls-only spaces help correct this by allowing girls to build confidence and see themselves as equally entitled to these roles.
The Evidence: Why Girls-Only Spaces Work
Research supports the need for girl-centered STEAM environments. For example, a 2018 study by the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools found that girls in single-gender STEM workshops experienced a 30% increase in confidence to pursue STEM subjects compared to their peers in co-ed programs (NCGS, 2018). Similarly, a 2021 report from the American Association of University Women showed that girls who began in female-focused STEM clubs were significantly more likely to continue into advanced STEM courses (AAUW, 2021).
What This Means in 2025
Unsurprisingly, I’ve received some pushback in recent years about creating girls-only spaces in STEM. These concerns are often well-meaning and rooted in a desire to be inclusive, but they miss the point. Girls-only programs are not about exclusion; they are about expanding access and creating a space where girls are centered, supported, and encouraged to lead. In 2025, with a deeper understanding of gender and identity, these spaces remain intentionally focused on girls while also welcoming others who genuinely thrive in and contribute positively to a girl-centered environment. The goal is not to police identity but to protect the purpose of the space, building confidence, community, and skills for those who have historically been underrepresented, while making sure the focus on girls is never diluted.
Concrete Steps Schools Can Take
Create a Girls-Only STEM Space: Offer a dedicated club, class, or after-school program where girls can take the lead, build confidence, and explore STEM in a space designed with them in mind.
Center Representation: Bring in women from STEAM fields as teachers, guest speakers, mentors, or enrichment instructors. Seeing relatable role models makes a lasting impression on students' sense of possibility.
Celebrate Success Stories: Highlight the contributions of women in STEAM, both historically and current. Use classroom materials, school displays, and student projects to reflect their leadership and innovation.
Expand from STEM to STEAM: Balance tech-heavy programs with maker-centered courses that include art, design, and hands-on creativity. These additions support problem-solving, fine motor development, and emotional intelligence, which are essential for human-centered innovation in STEM.
Moving Forward
Yes, we still need these spaces. They’re not about exclusion; they’re about ensuring that girls have a place to gain the confidence and sense of belonging that they deserve. By providing these environments, we create a more inclusive and diverse STEAM community for everyone in 2025 and beyond.