This article provides statistical background to a discussion of girls' education in relation to physics. Speculations are presented concerning the reasons for the decline in women physics students. (Author/SA)

Surveys British people over age 15 with the purpose of assessing the level of scientific knowledge among the public. Discusses the relationships between highest level of formal education, sex, and the answers given to questions. Illustrates how little school science instruction is remembered into adulthood. (CW)

Author discusses the pattern of entries of boys and girls to public science examinations and their achievement in these tests. (SA)

Examined are the type of physics applications that students are interested in learning more about in school. Gender differences within that choice are explored. Interview methodology and the results of the interviews are discussed. (CW)

The relative performance of men and women in physics courses at the University of Adelaide was investigated. Apart from first year work, there seems to be little difference between the performance of men and women despite an almost uniform ratio of about 10:1 in numbers in favor of men. (Author/JN)

The disappointingly small number of girls studying science was highlighted in this journal 20 years ago. Looks at progress in bringing girls into science education and women into science-based employment. (Author/ASK)

Reports some outcomes from an interview study with women Ph.D. physicists working in a variety of science-related careers. Explores and documents the career experience of women scientists. Identifies barriers and constraints to women's participation in science careers and investigates ways in which educational experiences contribute to career…

The author provides a few personal impressions from his visit to the People's Republic of China concerning middle school science education, particularly the physics curriculum; the typical, working-week schedule of a physics teacher; the status and morale of teachers, in general; and the Chinese viewpoint of the examination process and gender…

Considers whether there might be cultural elements that lie behind the tendency of physics to be a more popular option with boys than with girls. Concludes that making sweeping assumptions about male and female preferences is liable to create more problems. (Author/MM)

Discusses a questionnaire study to determine why fewer year 10 students are interested in physics than in biology. Finds that students perceive physics as being difficult and irrelevant. Males and females offered different reasons for finding physics boring with males enjoying practical exercises and females valuing areas in which physics can be…

Indicates that boys and girls differ in physics instruction. Suggests that boys achieve higher grades and are more interested in learning physics than girls. Claims that boys and girls hold different notions of what it means to understand physics: girls seem to think that they understand a concept only if they can put it into a broader world view.…