• Why would we want to increase female participation?

• Improve products

• Build the pipeline - innovation

• Economic Support

Why Why

3

Alphabet blocks Adeline D. T. Whitney 1882

Apgar tests, which evaluate a baby’s health upon birth Virginia Apgar 1952

Chocolate-chip cookies Ruth Wakefield 1930

Circular saw Tabitha Babbitt 1812

Dishwasher Josephine Cochran 1872

Disposable diaper Marion Donovan 1950

Electric hot water heater Ida Forbes 1917

Engine muffler El Dorado Jones 1917

Fire escape Anna Connelly 1887

Ironing board Sarah Boone 1892

Globes Ellen Fitz 1875

Life raft Maria Beaseley 1882

Liquid Paper®, a quick-drying liquid used to correct mistakes printed on paper

Bessie Nesmith 1951

Medical syringe Letitia Geer 1899

Rolling pin Catherine Deiner 1891

Scotchgard™ fabric protector Patsy O. Sherman 1956

Snugli® baby carrier Ann Moore 1965

Street-cleaning machine Florence Parpart 1900

Windshield wiper Mary Anderson 1903

Here are some of the “theories:”

• girls aren’t interested

• they can’t do math and science as well as boys

• they are opting out of careers that utilize ‘hard science’

What if I told you it’s because ….they don’t know what engineering is?

What if I told you it’s because ….they don’t know what engineering is?

Why aren’t more girls choosing engineering?Why aren’t more girls choosing engineering?

5

ExamplesExamples

Engineers sit in a cubicle all day longYou have to be an excellent math and science studentIt’s predominately a male fieldNerd perception: pocket protectors, glasses with tape, antisocialEngineers like to get dirty

6

TV and society portrays engineering as a male field• Dexter’s Laboratory• Bill Nye the Science Guy• Beakman’s World• Design Squad• DragonFly TV

Majority of girls assessed did not know the scope of what engineers doMany don’t choose careers in math-intensive fields because they want flexibility to raise children. (R&D Magazine (3/2009)

eWeek Careers blog (3/4/09)- Many high-tech companies seeking skill sets of women who have left high paying careers to focus on raising families. Implementation of “job-re-entry programs”

Women tend to prefer other fields of science that are less math-intensive (R&D Magazine (3/2009)

(Girls are outperforming boys in math scores- NCLB data)

Not encouraged by parents

More Gender Friendly

Nerd perception

8

Is Enjoyable “How happy I will be—what’s thepoint of doing something you don’t

like?”

Provides a GoodWorking Environment “If I can’t interact with people…I will

probably quit the job.”

Will Allow Me to Make a Difference

“That I would make a difference in some way, you know, make my mark on the world.”

Earns a Good Income “As shallow as it sounds, money is the one thing I have to considerwhen I’m choosing a job. I’m notgoing to do something that I know

can’t help me pay bills.”

Has Flexible Schedules “My career can’t consume all of my time…I need free time to do a lot of other things…before I die.”

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Change the message

10

To watch, click here.

Source: Engineeryourlife.org

Before After

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TRADITIONAL METHODIdentification of students

with capacity and aptitude to excel

in engineering

TRADITIONAL METHODIdentification of students

with capacity and aptitude to excel

in engineering

UPDATED METHODIntroduce Engineering to a Wider Audience

At Younger Ages

UPDATED METHODIntroduce Engineering to a Wider Audience

At Younger Ages

Key Decision Making Times

For Future Studies

From National Academy of Engineering

Elementary 7th & 8th gradersLate 11th, early 12th

Elementary 7th & 8th gradersLate 11th, early 12th

13

Encouraging Girls/Women into Encouraging Girls/Women into Nontraditional Career Pathways*Nontraditional Career Pathways*

Conduct targeted recruitment activities for girls and womenInform parents at the same timeSignals that they are welcome and wanted in the programIt helps to showcase the engineering coursework

*Research supported strategy (Sheets, Lufkin, Stevens, 2003)

Welcome to the “Focus Your Welcome to the “Focus Your Future” ReceptionFuture” Reception

15

Supported by the National Science Foundation “Engineering Equity Extension Service” project

Interview/visitations of schools with 30 to 50 % female enrollment

Determine ideas that could be replicated Used current research on effective

practices Built a “reception in a bag” to make it as

easy as possible for busy teachers Reception vs. open house

The reception idea…The reception idea…

16 16

Reception

Reasons for EventStudents

Supportive Faculty

School Counselor

Parent

Business Representative

Determine Agenda

Develop budget

Planning TeamPlanning Team

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Agenda CreationAgenda Creation

Time Activity6:30-7:15 Registration, Exhibit, Refreshments

7:15-7:20 Welcome & Introductions

7:20-7:35 PowerPoint Presentation

7:35-8:00 Speaker or Panel Presentation

8:00-8:15 Activity for Students & Parents

8:15-8:20 PLTW Course Registration

8:20-8:30 Questions & Answers

8:30-8:35 Evaluation Completion

19

Work with partnership team or industry contacts to obtain referrals

Former or current PLTW girls Local female engineers (SWE) College faculty Know what your speakers are going to say – prepare

them on “messaging”

Tips to Secure SpeakersTips to Secure Speakers

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Engineering is fun Determine Teams for Activity Activity Goal: Brainstorming, Problem Solving ,

Teaming Wrap Up

• I learned…• My favorite part was…• My plan is to…

Activity SelectionActivity Selection

Bring a Friend!

Bring a Friend!

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Ask Adults who have influence Coaches Favorite Teachers Counselors Club/Organization Sponsors Youth Pastors

Seek out female leaders of school social groups

Art, Music, & Drama Teachers – creativity, spatial skills

Identifying Girls to Identifying Girls to Attend…Attend…

InvitationsInvitations

Templates available for invitation in packet

Size Recommended to Attend Bring a Friend RSVP

23

Design Sports Equipment

Design Musical Instruments

Imagine New Products

Design Theme Parks and Rides

Save Lives

Enter Medical School Become Lawyers Become Presidents Become CEO’s Make a Difference Change the World

24

Judy Lee

To watch, click here.

Source: Engineeryourlife.org

How to Solve problems

How to Listen to others

How to work in Teams

How to conduct Research

How to Analyze information

How to Speak in front of a group

Write Technical information

Cope with failures and try again

Improve previous work

Manage Time to meet deadlines

Have Fun!!!

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Go to CBS News 6 video.

1. Click on the link above.2. Login as a Guest.3. Scroll down to Diversity Initiatives.4. Select Recruiting.5. Choose News Channel 6 PLTW report 2.

Go to CBS News 6 video.

1. Click on the link above.2. Login as a Guest.3. Scroll down to Diversity Initiatives.4. Select Recruiting.5. Choose News Channel 6 PLTW report 2.

28

Can you think of a college major or a career where

these attributes would NOT be valuable?

PLTW classes can benefit almost every student!

Show EYL video clips on school wide video and news channelStudents present at feeder school faculty meetingSet up display in cafeteria Provide opportunities for HS students to go to Middle School and Elementary grades to promote STEM education with demonstrations and activitiesHave students present at a PTA meeting

Show EYL video clips on school wide video and news channelStudents present at feeder school faculty meetingSet up display in cafeteria Provide opportunities for HS students to go to Middle School and Elementary grades to promote STEM education with demonstrations and activitiesHave students present at a PTA meeting

Other Recruitment IdeasOther Recruitment IdeasOther Recruitment IdeasOther Recruitment Ideas

For Questions & Comments

Project Lead the Way (www.pltw.org)•Carolyn Helm (Carolyn.helm@sreb.org)•Diana Jensen-Dooling (ddooling@monroe2boces.org)

To download FYF packet go to the PLTW Virtual Academy Sign on as a guestScroll down to “Diversity Initiatives”Select “Recruiting”