9553411 Hare This model is designed to investigate factors that affect the awareness of girls and women about careers in science and math, and to determine the effectiveness of hands-on activities and a constructivist, cooperative approach to learning in increasing interest in those careers. The design is to increase participants' knowledge of science and math, and to encourage girls and women through role models, and through opportunities to build community, to connect, and to construct their own learning. The design pays particular attention to the importance of science and mathematics in the ways human beings live, and the ways in which they treat the planet. Field trips and hands-on experiences are integrated with the content, and also provide opportunities to talk, not only about content, but also issues of everyday life. Project goals are: (1) to increase the numbers of girls enrolling in math and science courses at the middle and high school levels, with a long-term goal of increasing the numbers of women who enter careers in these areas; and (2) to make a difference in the attitudes and agendas of teachers and parents, and of future teachers and parents. The model will provide opportunities for young women to see how science and math applies to their lives, to use hands-on activities with computers and to build awareness of the computer as vital tool for learning and for access to knowledge, and to participate in hands-on, learner-centered units in math and science. The design uses available research in learning styles, multiple intelligences, and "women's ways of knowing" to present content in ways conducive to motivating the young women and tapping their strengths as learners. Leaders are to work with teachers and parents to build a support system to encourage the young women and to strengthen their self-concepts. The program is structured to encourage practice of the arts of democracy, including problem-solving, ethics, conflict resoluti on, prejudice reduction, roles of the individual within the community, service leadership, and celebration of diversity, as well as to increase communication skills of participants. ***
