Give Girls a Chance

Furger, R. (2003).  Give girls a chance: building a bridge to science and technology. Edutopia.  
   Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/techbridge-science-technology-girls

Summary

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Techbridge is a program, funded by the National Science Foundation to promote gender equity in science, engineering, and math.  It is a partnership between the Oakland Public Schools, two universities nearby, and The Chabot Space and Science Center.  The program is offered to girls only, and is designed to show girls what opportunities there are when they excel in science and technology.  The program offers hands-on experiences, field trips, and role models.  Throughout the school district, Techbridge is offered in many different ways.  At some schools, it is offered as a girls only after school club.  Other schools offer it as an elective.  Weekend and longer summer programs are also offered.  

A study in 2000 shows that girls who do well in science and technology way be viewed as aggressive and treated poorly by their peers.  On the flip side of that girls who do poorly may be ridiculed.  The hope is that Techbridge will offer an encouraging, supportive, and nurturing environment where it is OK for girls to excel but also to take their time and figure technological and scientific ideas out.  Girls who are taking part in the program are becoming more self-confident, speaking up in class, and taking on leadership roles.  They are also supporting and encouraging each other for getting good grades.

Reaction

This program seems like a good idea so that girls can be allowed to experience science without the normal peer pressure experience. Offering girls the chance to do more in science than they do during the normal school day is great.  Exposing girls to more science, technology and math is very important because these are subjects that girls tend to struggle in.  Offering children mentors and access to real-life applications to subjects can also create excitement because they see how it applies outside of school.  Helping girls see what sort of jobs are available in science and technology can help them feel optimistic about their future opportunities.

While I agree that girls need extra encouragement in these subjects, a similar program for boys would also be beneficial.  All young people can benefit from hands-on experiences in science and technology because these are areas that can often be too abstract. Helping them see how things really work will make these subjects fun and exciting.   When kids are more interested, they tend to perform better.