This award provides modest partial support to facilitate a sabbatical visit to Denmark by Professor Jeffry V. Mallow of Loyola University of Chicago. His host will be Professor Karin Beyer of Roskilde University Center, Roskilde, Denmark. They share a background in physics and a research interest in the sociology and psychology of science education, particularly the phenomenon of science avoidance by women. Dr. Mallow developed a clinic based program to address science avoidance, while Dr. Beyer's work has emphasized the modification of classroom interactions. Semester-long reciprocal visits will permit them to pursue joint research in this important field. They plan to examine data already acquired on the respective techniques, and to investigate which aspects are transferable to the school system of the other country. They also intend to investigate the development of a hybrid technique combining the science anxiety clinic with classroom intervention. Gender differences in the decision to study science and mathematics have been recognized for many years. There is a substantial body of literature now on reactions to mathematics, but less so for the sciences. Some progress has been made in seeking ways to change girls' avoidance of science. Recognition and study of the problem has become internationalized, and results of the research have begun to find application both in the classroom and in the training of teachers. The collaborators in the curent proposal are among those actively seeking to advance this field, where exchanges of experience have proven to be quite valuable.
