University of South Carolina System Model Project for the Transformation of Science and Math Teaching to Reach Women in Varied Campus Settings

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This project is developing a model for the teaching of science and mathematics with the specific objective of recruiting and retaining more women in science and technological careers. Research findings from Women's Studies are being utilized in designing, implementing, evaluating and disseminating the model. Since the project involves collaboration by thescience/math faculty of the nine campuses of the University of South Carolina System, ranging from two-year campuses to a major graduate/research campus, the model should be suitable for adaptation and national dissemination to a wide variety of institutions. Twenty-five science/math faculty drawn from 5 two-year, 3 four-year and one graduate/research campus areparticipating in the project. Activities take place in two settings and formats: two on-site, two-day workshops at each of the nine campuses for individualized design, and implementation of the model; and, three, two-day plenary workshops for intercampus exchange, expert consulting, contrastive analysis, and synthesis of the most successful strategies. Measurable Objectives to determine project effectiveness include: o Evidence of positively changed pedagogy and perceptions regarding gender by participating faculty (as demonstrated on pre- and post-project surveys). o A statistically significant increase (when compared with baseline figures and the control group) of the number and proportion of women entering the science and math courses affected by this transformational project, the number going on to additional science and math courses, and the number opting for graduate and post-graduate careers in science or math (as determined by long term tracking). o A net improvement in faculty perceptions of the value of inter-campus and inter-level communication (as demonstrated on pre- and post-project surveys).