EXCITE KIDS THROUGH EFFECTIVE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATH MESSAGING Tricia Berry Director, UT Austin Women in Engineering Program Director, Texas Girls Collaborative Project
Overview Changing the Conversation Engineering Grand Challenges Talking Points Why So Few? Recommendations
CHANGING THE CONVERSATION: MESSAGES FOR IMPROVING PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF ENGINEERING National Academy Of Engineering (NAE) Report http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12187
The Study In-depth interviews, youth triads (same-sex groups of three 9-11 year olds), and adult and teen focus groups Online survey that oversampled for African Americans and Hispanics 3,600 teens and adults Input from a cross section of the engineering community and others
Youth today... Teens have limited understanding of engineering or engineers (or STEM) Want well-paying jobs that make a difference See engineers (or STEM workers) as helping people, but not directly See engineers (or STEM workers) as desk jockeys, disconnected from people Few teens (<15%) describe engineering as nerdy or boring
Boys vs. Girls Both believe engineering is a very good career choice African American boys (more than girls) think salary extremely important to job choices African American girls want a job that makes a difference Hispanic girls (more than boys) think engineers are nerdy and boring Hispanic boys are more likely to believe engineering has a positive effect on people s everyday lives
Qualitative Gender Findings Younger girls pick images involving female engineers; boys more likely to pick images that features things
Engineering Messages Recommendations Stop reinforcing the images of nerdy and boring Stop focusing on math and science as the needed inputs and instead focus on: Outputs ^ (or STEM) Career opportunities Making a difference in the world Use the word create, not build
Most Appealing Messages Engineers are creative problem-solvers Engineering is essential to our health, happiness and safety Engineers help shape the future Engineers make a world of difference Engineers connect science to the real world* * Least appealing overall, especially among teen girls
^ (or STEM) Engineering Messages Recommendations Use images of people, not things: especially avoid using gears and mechanical looking things Use the following five words in describing engineering: discovery, design, imagination, innovation, contribution Describe engineer as creative problem solvers, essential to health, happiness and safety Emphasize that engineers shape the future ^ (and scientists)
Engineer Your Life (www.engineeryourlife.org)
Engineering Grand Challenges for the 21 st Century
Engineering Grand Challenges for the 21 st Century Make solar energy economical Manage the nitrogen cycle Advance health informatics Prevent nuclear terror Advance personalized learning Provide energy from fusion Provide access to clean water
Engineering Grand Challenges for the 21 st Century Engineer better medicines Secure cyberspace Engineer the tools of scientific discovery Develop carbon sequestration methods Restore and improve urban infrastructure Reverse-engineer the brain Enhance virtual reality
NATIONAL CENTER FOR WOMEN & TECHNOLOGY: TALKING POINTS http://www.ncwit.org/resources.res.outreach.talking2.html
What Should We Say IT s Important IT s Creative IT s Valued, Respected & Flexible IT s Team-oriented IT s Everywhere
Talking Points Meaningful Work Save Lives Solve Health Problems Improve the Environment Keep Us Connected High Salaries with a Bachelor s Degree Flexibility and Variety
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR WOMEN IN TRADES, TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE: RECRUITMENT STRATEGIES http://www.iwitts.com/html/recruiting_strategies.html
Recruitment Strategies Send a strong message you want women in your classes Proactively recruit women/girls to your classes Hold a women in technology career orientation
WHY SO FEW? WOMEN IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN http://www.aauw.org/learn/research/whysofew.cfm
Why So Few? presents evidence that social and environmental factors contribute to the underrepresentation of women and girls in STEM. Eight research findings in three areas: How social and environmental factors shape girls achievements and interests in math and science The climate of college and university science and engineering departments Continuing influence of bias
Believing in the potential for intellectual growth, in and of itself, improves outcomes.
In math and science, a growth mindset benefits girls. Fixed Mindset Intelligence is static. Leads to a desire to look smart and therefore a tendency to avoid challenges give up easily due to obstacles see effort as fruitless ignore useful feedback be threatened by others success Growth Mindset Intelligence can be developed. Leads to a desire to learn and therefore a tendency to embrace challenges persist despite obstacles see effort as path to mastery learn from criticism be inspired by others success Teach children that intellectual skills can be acquired. Praise children for effort. Highlight the struggle. Gifted and talented programs should send the message that they value growth and learning.
Negative stereotypes about girls and women s abilities in math and science persist despite girls and women s considerable gains in these areas in the last few decades.
Negative stereotypes about girls and women s abilities in math and science adversely affect their performance in these fields. Performance on a Challenging Math Test, by Stereotype Threat Condition and Gender Expose girls to successful female role models in math and science. Teach students about stereotype threat. Source: Spencer, S. J., Steele, C. M., & Quinn, D. M., 1999, "Stereotype threat and women's math performance," Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 35(1), p. 13.
Boys do not pursue mathematical activities at a higher rate than girls do because they are better at math. They do so, at least partially, because they think they are better. Shelley Correll, professor
Women are harder on themselves when assessing their abilities in male fields like math and science. Does this rectangle have more black or more white?
Women hold themselves to a higher standard compared with men in masculine fields. Students Standards for Their Own Performance, by Gender Set clear performance standards. Help girls recognize their career-relevant skills. Note: Respondents were asked, How high would you have to score to be convinced that you have high ability at this task? Source: Correll, S.J., 2004, Constraints into preferences: Gender, status, and emerging career aspirations, American Sociological Review, 69, p. 106, Table 2.
One of the largest and most persistent gender gaps in cognitive skills is found in spatial skills, where boys consistently outperform girls.
Spatial skills are not innate and can be improved with training. This is a sample question on mental rotation. Do you know the right answer? Playing with building toys as well as drawing can help children develop spatial skills.
How to Market Engineering to Girls & Minorities: Recommendations Stop reinforcing the images of nerdy and boring Stop focusing on math and science as the needed inputs and instead focus on: Outputs Career opportunities Making a difference in the world Use images of people and words like create, discovery, design, imagination, innovation, contribution ^ (or STEM)
How to Market Engineering to Girls & Minorities: Recommendations Counter and address stereotypes Provide role models that look and sound like them Embrace the growth mindset Actively RECRUIT them let them know you want them there ^ (or STEM)
The TxGCP connects organizations and individuals across Texas committed to informing and motivating girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Sign up to receive the TxGCP enewsletter Learn about STEM activities, webinars, events across the state & beyond Learn about research and resources about STEM outreach & education Sign up on the NGCP Program Directory Share resources and gain access to collaborative partners Become eligible for mini-grants Join a Regional K-12 STEM Outreach Group Connect in your region with K12 STEM activities, volunteers, resources: Central Texas, DFW, East Texas, El Paso, Houston, San Antonio, West Texas http://www. STEM@
The TxGCP connects organizations and individuals across Texas committed to informing and motivating girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Participate in Water Works Underwater Robotics Program Jan. 2013 Have access to LEGO robotics curriculum, software and materials Be a part of a national NSF-funded project and be a leader in Texas Participate in TechBridge Role Model Training Late summer Have access to online and in-person role model resources, curriculum Be a part of a national NSF-funded project and be a leader in Texas Participate in SciGirls Curriculum Training June 5 th UT Austin Have access to online and in-person hands-on activities, resources, curriculum Participate in K-12 STEM Outreach Forums Edinburg, Laredo in May Explore regional connections and resources in informal networking events Use TxGCP as a STEM Resource and Connector http://www. STEM@
EXCITE KIDS THROUGH EFFECTIVE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATH MESSAGING Tricia Berry tsberry@mail.utexas.edu 512-471-5650