Better Science 6: For Both Girls and Boys

For Both Girls and Boys was the sixth in a series of 12 booklets published by Heinemann and the Association for Science Education to explore the issues arising from moving towards a broad and balanced science education for all young people. The main purpose of this booklet was to explore ways in which science teachers can work towards providing equal opportunities for students within a broad balanced science education, which does not discriminate against them because of their gender.

Contents
Introduction
SECTION ONE Student perceptions
*Introduction
*Differences in aptitudes and experience
*Self-confidence and self-esteem
*Varied interests
*Different aspirations
*Behaviour
*Different learning styles
*What can be done?
SECTION TWO The influence of society
*Influences during early childhood
*Role models
*What does the future hold?
SECTION THREE The teacher influence
*Resource materials
*Student-teacher interactions
*Messages from our teaching styles
*Behavioural patterns
*Allocating jobs in the classroom
*Checklists
SECTION FOUR Ways forward for the science department
*A curriculum for girls and boys
*A future curriculum
*The tip of the iceberg
SECTION FIVE Conclusions
Further reading
References