Give Girls a Chance: Building a Bridge to Science and Technology

 Give Girls a Chance: Building a Bridge to Science and Technology is a story about Techbridge, a girls-only science and technology program that was unveiled in 2000 among nine Oakland, California area middle and high schools.  Techbridge is a program that allows girls the opportunity to engage in hands-on science and technology activities, attend field trips, and connect with role models from academic or industry backgrounds.  By admitting exclusively girls, Techbridege removes social pressures that hinder girls' advancement in science.  This approach fosters a collaborative culture and supportive environment in which girls are empowered to excel.

This article highlights the positive aspects of a science and technology program for girls, by women.  I am inclined to agree that this is a good approach for overcoming the inadvertent, inherent institutionalized sexism that prevents girls from pursuing learning in science and technology.  Girls need to be freed from the social pressures that hold them back in science classrooms, they need to be presented with role models with whom they can relate.  As one girl said of a NASA scientist: "What I really liked about Dr. Ericsson-Jackson was that she seemed so real. Not like some brainiac with no people skills."(Furger, 2003).  This is what makes girls realize that science is fun, interesting, and something they should consider pursuing.

More information about the Techbridge program you can visit the Techbridge website: http://techbridgegirls.org

Source:

Furger, R. (2003, September 3). Give Girls a Chance: Building a Bridge to Science and Technology. Retrieved April 12, 2011, from Edutopia: http://www.edutopia.org/techbridge-science-technology-girls