SSC-9450443 Science Museum of Minnesota St. Paul, MN Klaphake, Katrina, Patricia Forber and David Chittenden "St. Croix Eco-Explorers" St. Croix Eco-Explorers is a multifaceted project of the Science Museum of Minnesota whose ultimate goal is to increase the number of girls, particularly minority girls, being exposed to scientific fields. This project will enhance the scientific knowledge of middle school girls by providing them with hands-on, highly motivating science activities in conjunction with appropriate technical education and support networks. It is specifically designed to encourage girls who already show an aptitude in science to continue exploring science through extracurricular activities and pre-college science courses. The primary vehicle for this project will be a four-week day camp. The participants will be engaged in both course work and field research. During this time they will also be taking field trips to visit women scientists in both industry and academia. Through this project participants will strengthen their self-awareness and self-esteem as well as their knowledge of career opportunities in the scientific world. Along with the four-week camp, there will be follow-up activities which engage the participants in sharing their gained knowledge with family and friends, informal meetings with female career scientists, and internships within the Museum. This project provides for the development of curriculum and implementation of three successive camps that will be subjected to frequent evaluation by staff scientists and educators at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Major Scientific Disciplines: Ecology, Environmental Science. Program: Formal and Informal Science Education. Instructional Grade Levels: Grades 7 and 8.
