Are female students excelling in science, technology, engineering, and math?

The goal of achieving gender balance in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields still holds -- and, thanks, to a surfeit of programs for girls such as IBM’s Exploring Interests in Technology and Engineering (EXITE) or TechBridge, in Oakland, California, many people say that the gap is closing. Others argue, however, that a large gap still exists, often due to persistent stereotypes and biases that keep girls from having positive educational experiences that inspire an interest in STEM. Do you see many female students excelling in and pursuing these subjects, or does more need to be done to encourage them? Tell us what you think.