Every week, HEADlines brings you the latest news, stories and commentaries in education and healthcare. This week, get insights on the latest developments in education. image Obtaining gender parity in STEM and entrepreneurship While equity in education has been a topic much discussed in recent years, gender disparity in entrepreneurship and STEM disciplines is still pervasive today. A study in the United States has found that stereotypes about girls’ innate disinterest in STEM fields may do more harm in dissuading them from the discipline, rather than stereotypes about natural talent. Similarly, Vietnamese researchers have highlighted the need for demand-driven policies and practices to address gender stereotypes and identity perceptions, such that training programmes place women entrepreneurs at the centre of their learning process. Research has consistently highlighted the importance of gender-sensitive policies and curricula to promote parity in traditionally male-dominated disciplines. More than just equipping women with technical competencies, encouraging equity in these fields requires breaking down prevailing stereotypes and cultural norms to make women feel like they do belong and deserve to be successful in these areas. Education in the Spotlight EdSurge: The greatest lesson I learned as a new teacher was the power of saying ‘I’m sorry’ A former middle school teacher reflects on the importance of putting who she was teaching before what she was teaching. The Hechinger Report: ‘Don’t rush to spend on edtech’ As districts in the US get more funding, an expert warns educators to look to what works. EdSurge: Why digital equity is about so much more than access and infrastructure Time and again, researchers have illustrated the negative impacts of the digital divide, particularly on the students with the greatest need: those from lower-income, rural and racial minority communities, as well as those with learning differences. The Conversation: Art illuminates the beauty of science – and could inspire the next generation of scientists young and old The annual BioArt competition highlights the hidden parts of biology revealed under a microscope. The Straits Times: New PSLE scoring system sees more pupils qualifying to take secondary school subjects at higher level The Ministry of Education (MOE) said that about 65% of pupils who qualified for the Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical) courses this year can take at least one subject at a more demanding level in secondary school. The Hechinger Report: Explaining climate change to young children without sparking fear Today’s six-year-olds will live through more severe weather events in their lifetimes than their grandparents did. How should parents tackle the topic? DownToEarth: Half the national curricula worldwide don’t mention climate change, most teachers unsure of explaining the subject: UNESCO Only 53% of the national curricula in 100 countries surveyed incorporated climate change in their curriculum, according to a new report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Free course announcement: image SEAMEO INNOTECH is offering the online course TEACH ON: Keeping the Passion Alive to all teachers for free. Teach On: Keeping the Passion Alive aims to inspire, rekindle and sustain teachers’ passion for teaching. This course is for all teachers and those who want to be in the teaching profession. Certificates of participation will be issued to those who successfully complete the course. Sign up today: https://bit.ly/teachon2021-4howtoenrol FAQs: https://bit.ly/teachon2021-4faq For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/teachoninnotechmooc