Some of the data we've found is I think perception-based as well, of girls thinking they don't want to necessarily work with machinery and whatnot.
I'll give you an answer as a mom, actually, instead of as Let's Talk Science. I have a daughter in grade 12; well, she's in grade 11 right now, but taking a number of grade 12 courses. In grade 9 she was the only girl in the technology class. It was really fascinating, because the reason she decided she wanted to try the grade 9 tech course was that when we refinished our basement a few years ago, I had her involved in doing the drywalling and the studding and all of the stuff we needed to do.
I'm now very upset with my corners. However, that's another conversation.