Invisible Witnesses

This booklet focuses on gendered representations of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and how young people's views of careers in these subjects are developed. Classroom activities were developed for students drawing on media literacy skills to examine how their ideas have been influenced by television and encourage them to challenge perceptions.

Research identifies a decline in participation in STEM subjects and, in particular, the effects on girls of stereotypically masculine images of science and scientists with which many of them are uncomfortable.

The Invisible Witnesses project investigated the construction of these images by examining the content and reception of children's television and the ways in which these images affected perceptions of STEM. From this, the project developed a number of activities for use in the classroom to help students to challenge negative representations and see beyond them to a more authentic and diverse image of STEM and STEM professionals.