MPWG: Developing Gender-equitable Science Activities for Girls through University-based Service Learning for Women

该方案将设计、实施、评估和传播一个独特的示范方案，用于：（a）在课外环境中开展科学活动，吸引和挑战小学女生，同时为她们提供榜样;（B）帮助女本科生和研究生提高科学/技术专长和自尊，为她们的技术知识提供一个有价值的出口。 该项目由爱荷华州大学妇女科学和工程方案和妇女科学协会-东爱荷华州分会共同赞助，并得到了爱荷华州市社区学区和爱荷华州市地区科学中心公司的合作。 三个团队，每个团队有一名女性教师，工作人员或博士后科学家或工程师，一名来自科学中心的女性代表，以及4-6名女性本科生和研究生，将设计科学课程包。 科学教师将担任教育顾问。 每个课程包将包括围绕不同的多学科主题开发的一套综合的性别平等科学活动。 科学主题将补充，而不是重复，课堂课程。 每个课程包中的活动将包括：（a）可在15分钟或更短时间内完成的简短探索活动;（B）至少需要30至60分钟完成的较长活动;以及（c）可由学生在有或没有家长参与的情况下在家完成的扩展活动。 活动将使用无性别的语言，需要在小组中的实践经验，发展研究技能，与日常生活相关，非竞争性，并支持一个以上的正确结果。 这些活动适合女孩和男孩使用，对女孩比传统的科学课程更有效。 科学课程包将包括：（a）食用化学（K-1年级），（B）脑力（2-3年级），（c）遗传学（4-6年级）。 每个小组将在课外活动中向小学年龄的女孩和男孩介绍这些活动（例如，在爱荷华州市和周边学区，有学前和放学后的日托项目; 2为低收入家庭服务的社区中心; 3小学科学俱乐部; 4女童子军、营火会和4-H等俱乐部; 5社区科学项目。 设计团队将评估每项活动的有效性，并做出适当的修改。 该方案将惠及三个群体：（a）小学女生（和男生），（B）女大学生，（c）女性专业科学家和工程师。 该计划将提高家长和教育工作者对SEM中性别问题的认识;将科学教育置于社区背景下;将大学的科学和技术资源扩展到社区;并提高女性科学家和工程师的知名度。

This program will design, implement, evaluate, and disseminate a unique model program for: (a) presenting science activities that will interest and challenge elementary school girls in extracurricular settings while providing them with role models; and (b) helping female undergraduate and graduate students improve their scientific/technical expertise and self esteem by giving a worthwhile outlet for their technical knowledge. The project is co-sponsored by the University of Iowa Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Program and the Association of Women in Science- Eastern Iowa Chapter, with the cooperation of the Iowa City Community School District, and the Iowa City Area Sciences Center, Inc. Three teams, each with one female faculty, staff, or post-doctoral scientist or engineering, one female representative from the science center,and 4-6 female undergraduate and graduate students, will design science curriculum packets. Science teachers will serve as educational consultants. Each curriculum packet will include and integrated set of gender-equitable science activities developed around a different multi-disciplinary theme. The science themes will complement, not duplicate, the classroom curriculum. Activities in each curriculum packet will include: (a) short, exploratory activities that can be completed in 15 minutes or less; (b) longer activities that require at least 30 to 60 minutes to complete; and (c) extension activities that can be completed by students at home with or without parental involvement. Activities will use gender-free language, require hands-on experience in small groups, develop research skills, relate to daily life, be non- competitive, and support more than one correct outcome. Such activities are appropriate for use with both girls and boys, are more effective for girls than traditional science curricula. The science curriculum packets will include: (a) edible chemistry (for grades K-1), (b) brain power (for grades 2-3), and (c) genetics (grade 4-6). Each team will present these activities to elementary school-aged girls and boys in extra-curricular settings (e.g., before and after school day care programs; neighborhood centers that serve low- income families; elementary school science clubs; clubs such as Girls Scouts, Campfire,and 4-H; and community science programs) in Iowa City and surrounding school districts. The design teams will evaluate the effectiveness of each activity and make appropriate modifications. The program will benefit three groups: (a) elementary school girls (and boys), (b) female college students, and (c) female professional scientists and engineers. The program will increase the awareness of parents and educators of gender issues in SEM; place science education in a community context; extend the scientific and technical resources of the university into the community; and increase the visibility of female scientists and engineers.