We interviewed school girls who love science to find out why more girls were not doing it. In their candid unscripted replies, they gave us a number of insightful reasons. Ranging from the lack of role models to feeling science was ‘not for girls’. The girls also talked about their projects, the way forward for girls in science and reacted to the little letters of encouragement sent to them by Microsoft. The film ends with a message to all the girls who love science that Microsoft is waiting for them. An email that any girl can write into, recruiting2027@microsoft.com, closes the film.

In a recent Yale study, identical resumes were sent out to 127 science professors. Half named ‘Jennifer’ and half ‘John.’ Results concluded that the professors rated John higher, and offered to pay him more, assuming he was a better scientist.

This is a sobering reminder of a cultural perception that women are naturally less capable in science and technology. In part, this stems from a lack of female role models who make science “a girl thing.”

The trend in society is for brands and media to challenge the physical stereotypes and prejudices against women. We know that women can run like men or don’t have to look like a super model to be beautiful. But there isn’t a social conversation about intellectual parity, especially within STEM. There aren’t female role models who’re making science cool for girls. Instead, there’s saturation of stereotypes that are perpetuated by influential TV show characters that seek cheap laughs by not “getting” science.

The damage is profound, as evident in the underrepresentation of girls in science classes and clubs globally. Their natural passion for science and technology is being replaced with society’s expectations. Microsoft’s Recruitment 2027 seeks to start the conversation and end the stereotype.