Science is for girls?

Girls are under-represented among students of physical science in England and in other West European countries. Girls achieve less well than boys in science tests in many countries. This paper examines a variety of explanations for these findings, but concludes that most of the common theories are unsatisfactory. Instead an explanation based on the image of science as a masculine subject is proposed, and a study which explores this image is reported. Finally some intervention strategies for improving girls' attitudes and achievements in science are suggested.