Women in engineering: Statistical analysis of ACT data and proposed procedure to reverse trend

Abstract

Women have historically been underrepresented both in college majors and professional careers in STEM fields. This disparity can be observed in many countries, though it is most evident in the US. In this paper we analyze historical ACT data over a 30-year span and correlate gender differences with ACT scores and expressed interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) related college majors. SPSS software was used to analyze the data and examine the historical trends of students' expressed interest in STEM related majors. Results show that there is a significant discrepancy between the number of men and women students who expressed interest in engineering majors. The data also show that social influences such as the emergence of computer fields including computer gaming and the dot.com era have profound influence in students' interest in STEM fields. To help develop specific strategies for timely remediation and help reverse this trend students were grouped into three categories — well prepared (ACT ≥ 28), under prepared (27 ≤ ACT ≥ 19), and unprepared (ACT <19). Of the total number of students who expressed interest in engineering majors there are many who appear either completely unprepared or relatively under prepared for the demands of these fields. Results from this analysis demonstrate the importance of earlier interventions to encourage students who still have enough time to prepare for opportunities that interest them. It is also probable that students are making college major choices based on little or no data, and may, therefore, be at retention risk if they are admitted into an engineering program. This paper also highlights ongoing efforts to share data and work with high school counselors in an effort to help students identify more realistic career options or to timely target students for effective math remediation and help encourage increased participation in STEM majors and careers. Based on the data found in these analyses, we will next be surveying high school career guidance counselors. This survey will help gain insight into the high school counselors' understanding and potential biases regarding engineering and engineers.