Abstract:

Introduction:
Women outnumber men in college completion, bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. However, women are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Several reasons include absence of female models in these areas, less confidence of girls in their performance, the traditionally role assigned to women, occupational difficulties for women in the future, etc. For UNESCO, promoting women's access to scientific and technical careers is a requirement, and one key issue is the incorporation of gender perspective in teaching practice. Make visible women who are doing amazing things in the field of STEM or to raise awareness of greatest women scientists who have made significant advances in STEM field might eliminate gender stereotypes and promote gender equality.

The objectives of this work are:
1) To rise awareness of the contributions made by women to the discipline,
2) to promote a reflective and critical thinking to plurality and diversity,
3) to encourage women’s engagement with STEM subjects,
4) to know students’ opinion about this activity.

Methods:
The study was performed with 74 students (26 women and 48 men) enrolled in Fundamentals of Human Biology, of the first year of the Degree in Biomedical Engineering in the University of Alicante. The students were asked to carry out a project consisting in looking for a woman scientist who made greatest contributions in Cellular and Molecular Biology. They had to write a brief biography with relevant information about their scientific achievements and their valuation by society. The project was orally presented in the classroom. A survey was made in order to know students’ opinion about this activity.

Results and conclusions:
It has been shown that gender gap in science derives from stereotypes, educational and cultural factors and, therefore, it must be modified. Students have perceived that science does not exclude women but it is society that does it, then women can reach the top. On the other hand, students have become aware of the gender bias present in science. Students think these activities can contribute to correcting inequalities and promoting equality.

Keywords:

Gender and higher education, gender equality, STEM.