Building confidence

Hands-on games like "LittleBits" or "Makey Makey" enable students to create functioning electronics, offering instant feedback and a sense of achievement as they build devices like simple musical instruments or game controllers. Such experiences reinforce a student’s belief in their ability to understand and apply STEM principles in real-world situations. Implement a "strengths-based" feedback approach. Instead of focusing on errors, emphasize what the students did well and how they can apply those strengths to future challenges. This is especially important for girls, who may be more sensitive to criticism and more likely to internalize negative feedback (Dweck, 2006).