MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS IN SCIENCE AT THE BURKE MUSEUM (UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, SEATTLE): CREATING A SAFE SPACE AND COMMUNITY FOR GIRLS TO UNLEASH THEIR INNER SCIENTIST

Gender inequality still exists today in the sciences, manifested as the lesser degree to which women pursue or stick with careers in the STEM fields. Middle school constitutes a particularly critical period when many girls in U.S. schools become disengaged or lose interest in science. A body of research shows that it is not mental aptitude, but a lack of self-confidence, possibly augmented by the so-called “stereotype threat,” that prevents girls from engaging and performing in math and science as they go through middle- and high school.

To combat this problem, we used NSF funds (to CAES) to launch the Middle School Girls in Science (MS-GiS) program. MS-GiS is a free program designed to help girls develop a curiosity for science and confidence in their ability to do science. Additionally, MS-GiS promotes essential 21^st century skills such as leadership, teamwork, patience, problem solving, interpretation, communication, inquiry, observation, and analysis. During 8-9 Saturday sessions, up to 16 6^th-8^th grade girls do hands-on science with women researchers in the Burke and in labs across the U. of Washington campus. Activities center around hypothesis testing, allowing students to become familiar with the process of science. A key program aspect is the direct interaction with women scientists as role models (faculty, postdocs, and graduate/undergraduate students).

Since its inception as a Burke paleontology program, MS-GIS has expanded to cover a range of fields and topics, from geology and biology to math and computer science. It is part of an expanding suite of Burke GiS programs, including a summer camp and quarterly high school program.

Front- and back end surveys and feedback from parents allow us to assess the effectiveness of the program. Four years in, our surveys indicate that it is having a positive effect on girls’ perceived science knowledge, how comfortable they feel doing and talking about science, and whether they envision a career in science. The many return students is another measure of the program’s success and is helping to build a community of science-minded girls associated with the Burke Museum. Future improvements to MS-GiS include finding better ways to reach underrepresented communities that may struggle to participate (e.g., because of a lack of adequate and safe transportation to the Burke Museum).