Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering

ISSN for PRINT: 1072-8325

For Online Access

Best Paper Award Selection - Editorial Board Site

2005, Volume11

Issue 3

104 pages

DOI: 10.1615/JWomenMinorScienEng.v11.i3

Issue price - $42.00

Linda S. Kekelis
Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland, CA 94619

Rebecca Wepsic Ancheta
Rebecca Ancheta Research

Etta Heber
Chabot Space & Science Center

Jeri Countryman
Chabot Space & Science Center

In this article, we explore an understudied dimension of girls' single-sex education: how social relationships and racial diversity impact the educational environment for girls, and how teachers may best address these concerns. Findings are presented from a 3-year qualitative study of girls' experiences in a single-sex technology program. Girls valued the all-girls aspect of the programs, and friendships formed the foundation of their social experiences. Girls' friendship groups influenced their experiences and eventually their success in the after school technology programs. When friendship groups were observed to be racially homogeneous, they created challenges for including and supporting a racially diverse student membership. Our responses to the challenges that cultural differences and tensions present are outlined, along with recommendations for helping girls bridge these differences.

DOI: 10.1615/JWomenMinorScienEng.v11.i3.20 Download article, 231-246 pages

Article price - $35.00

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