An EngineeringUK survey has found a stark gender gap in young people’s interest in engineering and science, and a sharp decline in practical work during STEM lessons.

It’s no surprise that there is a gender gap between the interest girls and boys have in science and engineering at school. For a number of years we’ve been made aware of this gap. But what is news is that, despite the increase in awareness campaigns and various STEM initiatives, this gap is still as stark as ever.

A new survey by the Royal Society in partnership with EngineeringUK includes various stats that not only reveal the differences in attitude to science and engineering between girls and boys, but also the sharp decline in practical science at school, which could help engage less interested students in the subject.

In the third Science education tracker (previously run in 2016 and 2019), 7,000 young people between years 7 and 13 (aged 11 to 18) were surveyed. Some of the stand-out stats include:

Interest in a STEM...