TY - JOUR
T1 - Young women in science
T2 - Impact of a three-year program on knowledge of and attitudes toward science
AU - Schumacher, Mitzi M.
AU - Johnson, Michelle Natasya
AU - Floyd, Sondra R.
AU - Reid, Caroline E.
AU - Noland, Melody Powers
AU - Leukefeld, Carl G.
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - Addressing the factors that discourage high school girls from pursuing careers in science, this intervention targeted young women from rural Appalachia, urging them to pursue scientific careers in drug and alcohol research. This three-year program, for 49 young women entering ninth grade in 12 southeastern Kentucky counties, included a summer camp, Saturday Academies (educational seminars held in their communities), and mentoring by university faculty and community leaders. As hypothesized, findings from analyses of baseline and postsummer session data show a reduction in participants' anxiety regarding science. Participants' scientific knowledge also increased. In turn, their science knowledge scores correlated with their third summer posttest confidence in their ability to learn science and motivation for science as well as the belief that teachers can help. The success of such a program demonstrates that the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can be ameliorated. Participants' first steps toward successful scientific careers included improving their attitudes toward science as well as increasing their knowledge.
AB - Addressing the factors that discourage high school girls from pursuing careers in science, this intervention targeted young women from rural Appalachia, urging them to pursue scientific careers in drug and alcohol research. This three-year program, for 49 young women entering ninth grade in 12 southeastern Kentucky counties, included a summer camp, Saturday Academies (educational seminars held in their communities), and mentoring by university faculty and community leaders. As hypothesized, findings from analyses of baseline and postsummer session data show a reduction in participants' anxiety regarding science. Participants' scientific knowledge also increased. In turn, their science knowledge scores correlated with their third summer posttest confidence in their ability to learn science and motivation for science as well as the belief that teachers can help. The success of such a program demonstrates that the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can be ameliorated. Participants' first steps toward successful scientific careers included improving their attitudes toward science as well as increasing their knowledge.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=57749111906&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1615/JWomenMinorScienEng.v14.i3.40
DO - 10.1615/JWomenMinorScienEng.v14.i3.40
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:57749111906
SN - 1072-8325
VL - 14
SP - 301
EP - 317
JO - Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering
JF - Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering
IS - 3
ER -