Session S4 - Keeping Girls/Women in Science I.
INVITED session, Wednesday afternoon, March 24
517C, Palais de Congres
In 1990, Dartmouth College, a small, elite liberal arts college in New England, developed a co-curricular initiative to increase the numbers of undergraduate women graduating in SMET (science, math, engineering, and technology). Female attrition from the sciences was several times greater than that of male peers. Women’s under-representation has been connected with early socialization, lower self-confidence, lower expectations from parents, teachers, and others; less “tinkering” experience, teaching practices in introductory college SMET courses, and a lack of critical mass. Recognizing that women leave science for varied reasons, a comprehensive and complementary set of programs evolved around the themes of early hands-on research experience, mentoring and networking, role models, access to information, and a sense of community. The cornerstone program of WISP pairs a young woman interested in science with a research faculty member for two terms of a paid, hands-on mentored introduction to research during her first or second year of college. Inquiry-based, active learning in a mentored context results in strengthened science interests, increased confidence, and expanded student vision on the possibilities of a scientific career. Developing early mentoring relationships with faculty and peers, and creating connections with a science community, are important elements for persistence in science. Now a mature and respected program, WISP supports and enhances the overall educational mission of the College by developing and nurturing a pipeline of successful female students interested in pursuing science as a career. WISP has created a positive student culture for research and scholarship that benefits all students and the institution as well.