Women in Science
July 26 - July 30 2004
ORGANIZATION
Park Biology Club, Park University, under the supervision of Park's
Natural Science Division, and in particular, the Departments of
Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Geology.
For Information, Contact Angie Klein at 816-584-6813 or
angela.klein@park.edu
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Park Biology Club plans to conduct a five-day science camp
targeting the Girl Scouts of America. We are anticipating
thirty-six 4th, 5th, and 6th grade
girls, fourteen of which will come from low-income, urban areas (the
14 low-income girls will not be charged any tuition).; Our main
focus this summer is women in science. The campers will explore
female science role models and perform various hands-on, inquiry
based biological, chemical, geological, and computer activities
related to the work of the role models.
The various activities will be conducted primarily by college
professors from Park University. The girls will be divided into
small groups led by female science students at the high school or
college level. Each group will be responsible for completing its
own project, which will require a lot of independent leadership and
teamwork on the parts of the campers and their leaders. This
summer's project utilizes Lego Mindstorm for Schools, and is
centered on the creation of a robot to
concur a challenge. It uses a simple yet powerful computer software
language to execute the tasks for a successful "alien encounter".
Our camp's overall goal is to instill in the girl's an
interest in science by exposing them to female science role models,
and to hand's on, inquiry based science activities, in addition to
the role models provided by our group leaders. We want to show the
girls the fallibility of the gender stereotypes about learning
science and show them their potential for success in this field. We
are excited that we are given the opportunity to introduce these
girls to science activities they may have otherwise not had the
opportunity to experience.
COMMUNITY BENEFIT
This project provides an opportunity for girls of various backgrounds
to meet and socialize in an environment that values diversity and
portrays it in a positive manner. In science, a student is not limited
by gender, age, ethnicity, native language, religion, class, or
disability. Our planned activities promote health by creating an
increased awareness of the influence the environment has on the
body. In addition, some girls may be exposed to learning situations
that they may have otherwise not had the opportunity to experience.
|