Gender Representation in Science Competitions

The New York Times has a feel-good article today about finalists in the Intel Science Talent Search, the nation’s premier high school science contest. There are 40 finalists chosen from over 1,700 applicants and this year, for the first time since the competition was started in 1942, there are an equal number of boys and girls representated among the finalists. It's not scientific evidence as to the overall interest of girls in pursuing higher education or careers in the sciences, but it does provide some refreshing anecdotal evidence to counter those who think that girls might not have the same "science gene" as boys.