As I See It / August 2006
Do the Math
Since 1955, the National Science Foundation has helped fund 166 of the Nobel Prize winners in physics, chemistry, medicine and economics. Whether that is astounding foresight or a predictable result due to the small population of research scientists, it speaks well of the American commitment to adventure, vision and achievement.
Not one of those 166 is a woman.
There isn’t really a good answer to why no woman is on that list. The bad answers are collectively so disheartening, it’s hard not to surrender to despair.
The NSF is an incredibly shining star in the American firmament. It’s an independent federal agency supporting fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering, with an annual budget of $5.58 billion reaching all 50 states through grants to nearly 1,700 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF makes nearly 10,000 new funding awards.
The NSF’s public investment in science, engineering, education and technology has touched every American’s life in virtually every field of endeavor. From nanofibers to extrasolar planets, NSF funded research has developed understanding, generated discoveries and introduced innovations in forensics, biology, physics, geology, engineering, computer science, medicine, construction, electronics-the list is endless. The subjects are integral issues of life, predicting hurricanes and earthquakes, making lighter, safer bridge materials, identifying cellular changes of Alzheimers, or harnessing solar energy. The research has limitless, indisputably practical applications. If there is one US agency that is absolutely, positively, successfully fulfilling its mission, it is the NSF.
Many women work at the NSF, in a variety of positions and there are many women scientists involved in its administration. Certainly, as a big budget national agency they are under an intense microscope at every level of operation for every circumstance. The absence of women on that one list is troubling, but arguments can be made-and the NSF spokesman makes them- that Noble prize winners are usually in the field for a long time, perhaps women haven’t had time to get to the Nobel level yet. And, the NSF has no say over who is selected for the Nobel prize. And they have indeed funded some projects that include women scientists.
But there is a problem, and they know it. Discussion centers around socialization, education, pop culture, nesting instincts, children and private industry. But, the agency that is a teeming reservoir of smart people researching every question in the universe, really doesn’t know how to fix it.
Problems must be stated before they are resolved. One obstacle the NSF faces about this problem is they can’t say what they see. They can’t publicly announce what may be why there are so few women in research science.
Women don’t want to do it.
Science means math. And women seem to think learning math will make them ugly and undesirable. It’s the only possible explanation for turning their backs on professions that make the most significant contributions to humanity and to the quality of life.
Almost six million jobs requiring math and science skills will be available by 2008. Eight of the ten fastest growing occupations in the US are science, math or technology related. But women, who are fully half the US workforce, hold only 12 % of the science and engineering jobs.
Elementary school children have equal interest and equal test scores in math and science. But, after middle school, girls lose their science aspirations.
Maybe it’s lack of faith, maybe its low expectations, maybe it’s an abundance of stupidity. Perhaps it is mothers who never did math, either. Maybe it’s a national mindset gone brain dead. But women must decide to make science their own field. The government cannot make them do it.
Women bring so much to the table-curiosity, persistence, dedication, enthusiasm, intelligence-and humanity. Making a better, safer, kinder, cleaner place to live is what women do for their families every day. They could be doing it for the world.
Women should have money, prestige and recognition for their work. Not as life coaches or yoga instructors or fitness consultants but as scientists. Women have never had the opportunities to reach for the stars and the solutions that they have now. All that’s left is to do the math. PL
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