IDPU/WG: Women in Science: A Community of Learners

威斯康星大学史蒂文斯分校(UWSP)最近在其校园内实施了一项新生兴趣小组(FIG)倡议。该计划总体上是成功的；然而，成功并不是普遍的。与科学、数学、工程和技术(SME&amp；T)相关的FIG在第一年只吸引了12名学生，在第二年吸引了7名学生--全部是男性。这一经历突显了地区性大学在实施国家教育改革模式时可能遇到的困难，以及需要一项与中小企业和技术培训相关的、面向女性的倡议。这个项目的目标是开发被称为“第二梯队”的资源，即那些可以做科学，但选择不做的人。通过确定那些看起来最有效的组成部分所获得的知识可能会改变科学的教学方式。具体目标是：创建女性参与科学学习社区；通过学习小组加强课堂教学；提供技术培训、职业信息、榜样和相关工作经验；让教职员工熟悉性别问题；并确定干预措施中最有效的方面。该计划包括一个跨学科的课程，参与者将作为一个队列进行学习。课程将通过实地考察、嘉宾演讲和职业信息来加强。导师指导的学习小组、一个技术研讨会、一个家庭开放日，以及与中小企业和电信相关的学生就业机会，都将提供额外的支撑。

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) recently implemented a Freshman Interest Group (FIG) initiative on its campus. The program has generally been successful; however, the success has not been universal. The single science, mathematics, engineering and technology (SME&T)-related FIG attracted only 12 students in its inaugural year and seven in its second year--all male. The experience highlights the difficulties regional universities may experience implementing national educational reform models as well as the need for a SME&T-related initiative that targets women. This project's goal is to develop the resource referred to as the "second tier," those who can do science, but opt not to. The knowledge gained by identifying those components that appear most effective could reform the way science is taught. The specific objectives are to: create a Women in Science learning community; enhance classroom instruction with study groups; provide technology training, career information, role models, and related work experience; acquaint faculty members with gender issues; and identify the facets of the intervention that are most effective. The program includes an interdisciplinary course that participants will take as a cohort. The curriculum will be enhanced with field trips, guest speakers, and career information. Mentor-led study groups, a technology workshop, a family open house, and SME&T-related student employment will provide additional scaffolding.