My 5th Review: Give Girls a Chance: Building a Bridge to Science and Technology 11/19/2010

Summary

In Give Girls a Chance: Building a Bridge to Science and Technology Roberta Furger discusses the science based curriculum in a special program called Techbridge (Furger, ¶2).  The Techbridge program is designed to encourage the involvement of girls in science, engineering and mathematics while promoting gender equality in a supportive environment.  Furger discusses peer pressure for girls to have limited knowledge concerning computers and how the Techbridge program allows girls to be willing, interested and motivated to complete projects.  These girls are “in control of their own learning” (Furger, ¶10).  The program consists of female mentors that assist with projects and provide insight, allowing the girls to interact with professional women in a way that makes their roles realistic.  As one girl stated, “What I really liked about Dr. Ericsson-Jackson was that she seemed so real.  Not like some brainiac with no people skills.” The most important impact  this mentoring program provides according to Furger is the newly developed views of successful women in society and how these girls can be future leaders (Furger, ¶16).

Reaction

Give Girls a Change: Building a Bridge to Science and Technology made me question the premise of an all girls’ program versus interactive education and reflection, and which environmental factor might be most responsible for the positive outcome seen in the participating girls.  I enjoyed reading about the inclusion of interactive educational lessons, and that the school was comprised of community members from diverse fields.  In thinking about systems and developing new educational settings I can’t help but think that everyone would benefit from this type of educational experience, regardless of gender.   And I question whether it would be a negative to also include boys in this project.   Both young men and women interested in science need to foster the ability to work in diverse environments, and the pride of success in completing a project is in no way connected to ones gender.  

Source

Furger, R. (2003, September 9) Give Girls a Chance: Building a Bridge to Science and Technology

                Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/building-bridge-science-and-technolgy

Labels:  Diversity