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Hello, Sam!

An interesting request you've got there. In some respects, though, I could see where specific references to such research would be few and far between. After all, long-term, girl-focused, out-of-school physical science (only) programs are pretty rare...so you're already dealing with a small pool from which to draw programs to study.

Then there's the "out-of-school - career choice" connection. We heavily emphasize physical science in our offerings (I manage science programs for Girl Scouts in Seattle/Northwest Washington state), but I'm not sure I could set up a research study that could accurately control for all the other variables that go into career choice. You could probably get good data on how out-of school programs affect attitudes towards physical science...and then is there any female-specific research on how "attitudes towards physical science" affect career choice? Or even high school/college course selection? It's indirect, but it would at least be something. Besides which, I'm not entirely sure that we should be measuring for "girls choosing careers" as the ultimate goal. It is easily quantifiable, which is nice. But what about a woman who is employed professionally in one field, yet is a serious amateur astronomer, for example? 

If anyone does come up with such research, I'd love to see it. For that matter, Sam, what research have you (or the person making the request) come up with on females and informal science education? I'm always on the hunt for new stuff to peruse.

Thanks!
-Stephanie

Stephanie Lingwood
Science Program Manager, Girl Scouts - Totem Council
[log in to unmask]   800/767-6845 ext. 251




-----Original Message-----
From: Sam Dean [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2004 8:01 AM
Subject: Women/Informal Science


ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Hello all!
 
I had the following request come in re: women, career choices, and out-of-school experiences~
 
""In searching the literature concerning females and informal science education, I have not found specific references to girls choosing careers in physical sciences based on their out of school science activities.""
 
Does anyone know of any references I could send on?  It's a great idea, and if there's some relevant research I'd like to peruse it as well...
 
Thanks a gajillion!
 
Sam
 
 
Sam Dean
Science Specialist
COSI Toledo
1 Discovery Way
Toledo, OH  43604
41°39'N 83°32'W
www.cositoledo.org
 
 

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