9553488 Heber This pilot after-school program at Chabot Observatory & Science Center seeks to involve and excite adolescent girls about science, through astronomy-related activities, including their own research and production of a new planetarium program about women's contributions to the field. Dissemination is to include distribution of the planetarium show product, sharing information about the project process with other education organizations, and a teacher enhancement program to foster replication elsewhere. The concept for this project came from teachers of science who have expertise in astronomy. They saw an opportunity to combine an existing, but modest, volunteer program with a broader effort serving the community. This project targets middle and high school girls at the point in their schooling where an interest in science and related careers is most vulnerable to negative influences. It involves them in an innovative and creative project, honoring the contributions of women in science, and shedding light on the skills which fostered those contributions, while developing in participants the very skills which can influence their own career opportunities. In this project, both the product--the planetarium show and video, and the process--skill development as a means to the end product, are equally important and encouraged. After completion, the 40 girls and two teachers directly trained will offer a model to thousands of others who can use active learning to tell their own stories of scientific achievement. ***

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Human Resource Development (HRD)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
9553488
Program Officer
Margrete S. Klein
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1995-09-01
Budget End
1998-08-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1995
Total Cost
$117,600
Indirect Cost
Name
Chabot Space and Science Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Oakland
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94619