Why Representation in Math and Science Actually Matters

Girls are just as capable in maths and science as boys, but confidence tells a different story. According to the American Association of University Women (AAUW), girls earn grades equal to or higher than boys in maths and science, yet they are less likely to believe they’re good at these subjects. Confidence, not ability, is often the difference

International data from the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, an international group that studies education data from countries around the world) shows this clearly: about 52% of boys say they feel confident solving maths problems, compared to only around 32% of girls, even when their test scores are similar. That’s a 20-percentage-point confidence gap, not an achievement gap.

Representation plays a huge role in this. Research has found that girls who are exposed to female role models in maths and science show higher confidence and interest in these subjects than girls who are not. When girls don’t see women represented as scientists or mathematicians, it’s easier to assume those spaces aren’t meant for them.

This matters because confidence shapes choices. Girls who feel confident are more likely to speak up in class, take advanced math and science courses, and stay in these fields when they become challenging. Without representation, many girls who are fully capable start to doubt themselves.

Representation doesn’t just change what girls see, it changes what they believe about themselves. And that belief can make all the difference.