Success StoryEncouraging Girls in Science and Engineering
Encouraging Girls in Science and Engineering
Author: Mary S Averbeck
Planning Unit: Kenton County CES
Major Program: Science, Engineering and Technology 4-H Core Curriculum
Plan of Work: 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology
Outcome: Initial Outcome
Why are so few women in science and engineering careers? According to The American Association of University Women (AAUW) there are still environmental and social barriers that continue to block women’s progress in these fields. AAUW’s research shows that emphasizing real-life applications in early STEM courses, encouraging girls to develop their spatial skills and helping girls recognize their career-relevant skills are proven strategies to encouraging girls to enter these fields. Style Engineers, a national 4-H program, was created to meet these needs. Style Engineers engages girls in STEM concepts and emerging technologies through informal learning outside of school. Hands-on, collaborative, and relevant real-world activities are included. In Kenton County a second two-day camp was held during the summer to immerse girls in engineering. Youth learned about patternmaking and electric circuits, and then, made a bracelet with a battery and LED lights. In all about 130 Kenton county youth have participated in Style Engineers. This agent also taught 4-H agent and adult audiences about the Style Engineers curriculum. Electric circuits were taught at the master clothing volunteer fall training, adults and youth were introduced to the curriculum at a technology conference in Washington, D.C. in November and 4-H Agents were introduced to the curriculum at the December agent training. These adults now have the knowledge to duplicate the program in their own counties.
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