IDP: SAGE-VA: Science & Gender Equity Program of Western Virginia

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The Science and Gender Equity Program (SAGE-VA) builds upon the achievements of others who have developed and tested female friendly, hands-on science modules. This 24 month project targets middles school girls as well as science and mathematics teachers from the rural and economically depressed counties of far western Virginia. The project will solidify a collaboration between scientists and science educators at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VA-Tech) and classroom teachers in these isolated areas. The main goal of the project is to establish a collaborative network among teachers, professors, community organizations and middle school girls in rural schools. The activities that will support this goal include establishing the above network; a summer camp for middle school girls and teachers; distant learning activities for collaboration and instruction; and, Saturday Academies. This project will: increase teacher awareness of gender equity issues in science education, act as a mentor program to encourage girls to pursue science careers; incorporate the use of computer-based technologies for all participants and encourage participants to use these technologies as efficient, powerful learning and communication tools.