<p>I heard one of the researchers from the “Why So Few” project speak about a project conducted in several cities to mentor girls who had already demonstrated strong success in science classes in science and technology – despite substantial intervention, the girls enrolled in STEM majors at very, very low rates. One teacher I really respect used to say, “When a boy gets a B on in Chemistry, it was a dumb teacher and a stupid test. When a girl gets a B in that same class, she’s convinced that she isn’t good in Chemistry.” I think there’s a fair amount of truth in that – and that the girls who actually apply to CalTech are probably very well qualified as a pool because many of the lesser-qualified girls have self-selected themselves out.</p>