Project Exploration - Changing The Face of Science

Sisters4Science 2005 Report

Camille and Paige making friends at Reptile Fest! Photo: A. Patel© Project Exploration

In 2005, the Sisters4Science program created a safe space for more than 60 girls to explore and be curious, exposed girls to a wide variety of women scientists, and developed girls’ leadership and communication skills. The program maintains an ‘open door policy’ where any girl from the school can come to any session. Sixty-eight girls attended S4S sessions this year, a 19% increase from the previous year.

There were a total of 16 weekly sessions held at each of the S4S schools, five field trip experiences, and an overnight Leadership Retreat.

This year’s sessions included an extensive unit on Bodies and Systems, in which the girls learned about the particulars of the human body. This unit was complimented by a field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry’s “Body Worlds” exhibit. S4S also developed an exciting new partnership with About Face Youth Theater to enhance the girls’ capacity to share their stories, experiences, and knowledge.

Assessment of S4S Program Goals

GOAL: Expose girls to the wide variety of roles played by women in science.

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In 2005, S4S program participants interacted with over 20 women scientists—a 67% increase from the previous year—through classroom sessions and field trips. The women scientists included a mechanical engineer, paleontologist, chemist, and web designer. The following responses capture the essence of exposing the girls to women scientists as a core goal:

Abigail, Aleta and Jamilla watching Laurie Parker demonstrate physical change.
Photo: A. Patel © Project Exploration

Laurie was most important to me because I needed to see a scientist that is in love with science, really loves her job, and that inspires me.

Melina is my favorite because she went to graduate school, and no one I know has gone to graduate school.

Ellen was very important for me because she showed me something I never knew.

GOALS: Create a safe space for girls to explore science and develop leadership skills. Create an alternative educational model that combines science with leadership development.

•	The S4S sessions were held on a regular basis and also maintained a similar structure. This created a high level of familiarity and comfort, which led to high and consistent participation. Another indicator that we were able to reach this goal is demonstrated in quotes from the year-end evaluation:

S4S reflecting on how the Sisters4Science program addresses barriers to science for women. Photo: A. Patel © Project Exploration

I used to think that science was boring, stupid, and I didn’t get it or know why it’s important, but now I know many new things and that there is a lot more I could learn.

I used to be self-conscious and nervous when I heard the word science but now I am more confident when I deal with science.

I learned how to keep trying because scientists try stuff over and over again.

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The S4S girls also participated in five field trips, which included participation in an engineering career fair at Northwestern University, and visits to their engineering and chemistry labs, Reptile Fest at University of Illinois at Chicago, and the Museum of Science and Industry’s “Body Worlds” exhibit. In addition to providing the girls’ with new insights and perspectives, the field experiences also intrigues them on a level impossible to achieve otherwise. The following statements from their writing illustrate this point:

This was a great experience for us girls to see what we can do with our lives and careers.
I have definitely concluded that this school (Northwestern University) is on my college list, even though I’m only in 8th grade—it’s never too early to start.

It’s just so great that I can visit a science museum and learn about the human body because most children don’t have a chance to do this.

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