Physics program for girls (PPG) is a two-week program held every summer since 2006, with the goal of engaging young women in inquiry-based physics experiments and to connect them with female science, technology, engineering, and mathematics professional role models. The program recruits young women to participate the summer after they have taken…

This article describes a reverse-engineering project where female students take a part a hair dryer--giving them an opportunity to see the many different kinds of engineering disciplines involved in making a hairdryer and that they work together. Mechanical Engineer, Lyn Gome, describes her experience leading a group of middle school girls through…

This chapter outlines the psychosocial aspects of mentoring that help women combat the barriers they commonly face in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The authors describe the "Career"WISE online resilience training and how it can address the shortage of effective mentors and role models who have been shown to…

If we are to attract more women and minorities to computing we must engage students at an early age. As part of its mission to increase participation of women and underrepresented minorities in computing, the Increasing Student Participation in Research Development Program (INSPIRED) conducts computing academies for high school students. The…

Describes a project in which female prisoners were matched with socially active women volunteers from the surrounding community. Program encouraged home visits, shopping trips, attendance at various activities in the community, and opportunities to engage in personal interaction. Results indicate that each encounter was significant to all persons…

An all-day conference enabled graduate women students to question and identify with role models of young women faculty members. The conference is described. (Author/EJT)

In the United States female and male students supposedly have the same educational opportunities. Females continue to score below male students on the mathematics portions of standardized tests and less frequently choose mathematics-oriented careers. In this experimental study (n=95), 47 first-year algebra students participated in a month-long…

Reports on Project Read, an intervention designed to enhance attitudes of Hispanic and African-American high school females toward reading, school, and literacy in general through a series of 12 weekly lunch-time presentations by successful minority female role models. (SR)

The "Occupational Outlook for 1975" program at Purdue has alumnae and employer representatives coming on campus to help women discover what is going on in the business world. (Author)

At Wheaton College, juniors were matched with professional women who served as mentors or career advisors for the academic year. Most students received information about specific occupational fields or graduate schools and support from their mentors. Some benefited from personal information about the mentor's family, background, and life-style.…

Describes and evaluates the Life Choices Program for girls (N=66) aged 9 to 12, which emphasizes empowerment as an intervention. Comparison of the Life Choices participants with controls (N=50) showed no significant differences in locus of control. Differences in values suggest Life Choices participants are more aware of role alternatives. (JAC)

Describes current efforts of a project designed to improve girls' attitudes toward physical science and craft subjects and to elect more science classes, including raising teachers' awareness of girls' underachievement, testing attitudes/knowledge for later comparison, and arranging school visits by working women to act as role models. (JN)

A Wisconsin Girl Scout camp integrated The Healthy Kids Challenge into its program. The camp evaluated policies related to meals, snacks, physical activities, team building, and self-esteem. Staff inservice training resulted in healthier meals on the same budget and developed ownership of the program. Campers and families had opportunities to…

Describes a program to improve the low participation of Canadian women in science careers. The peer counseling program encouraged high school senior girls to serve as role models for younger girls and participate in a Women in Science Club which encouraged careers in science and mathematics. (JAC)

The status and barriers faced by women business owners is examined, and ways in which higher education institutions can assist women to overcome these obstacles are suggested. The Women Entrepreneurs (WE) Project is described, and a survey of women-owned businesses in California is discussed. (Author/MLW)