Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering

ISSN for PRINT: 1072-8325

For Online Access

Best Paper Award Selection - Editorial Board Site

2003, Volume9

Issue 1

121 pages

DOI: 10.1615/JWomenMinorScienEng.v9.i1

Issue price - $42.00

Jody House
Oregon Graduate Institute, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, 20000 NW Walker Road, Beaverton, OR 97006

Molly Johnson
Agilent Corporation

Geoffrey Borthwick
Portland State University, Department of Psychology

Many different programs have been designed to increase girls' interest in and exposure to science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (SMET). Two of these programs are discussed and contrasted in the dimensions of length, level of science content, pedagogical approach, degree of self- vs. parent-selected participants, and amount of communitybuilding content. Two different evaluation tools were used. For one program, a modified version of the University of Pittsburgh's undergraduate engineering attitude assessment survey was used. Program participants' responses were compared to those from a fifth grade, mixed-sex science class. The only gender difference found was in the area of parental encouragement. The girls in the special class were more encouraged to participate in SMET areas. For the second program, a new age-appropriate tool developed specifically for these types of programs was used, and the tool itself was evaluated. The results indicate that the new tool has construct validity. On the basis of these preliminary results, a long-term plan for the continued development of the assessment tool is outlined.

DOI: 10.1615/JWomenMinorScienEng.v9.i1.60 Download article, 14 pages

Article price - $35.00

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