Impacts of an Informal Science Outreach Program on Girls' Science Affinities Over Time

• In Event: 69.057 - Roundtable Session 32
  In Roundtable Session: 69.057-18 - Informal Learning Environments as Opportunities for Broadening Participation in STEM

Abstract

Research focused on achievement shows that girls have closed the math and science gap, and yet, women remain underrepresented in the science, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Research into the psychosocial elements of identity and self-efficacy development provide a new perspective on the persistent attrition of girls and women from STEM. This study draws on three years of data from an informal science outreach program designed to operationalize psychosocial theory such as identity formation and self-efficacy development into concrete techniques for retaining girls in STEM. Longitudinal data for 176 middle school aged girls participating in a cohort-based informal science outreach program will be analyzed to determine changes in girls’ science affinities over time and to assess the cumulative program impact.

Authors

• Brandy Todd, University of Oregon

• Keith Zvoch, University of Oregon