9453719 Gibb Project Parity is to be a model for schools, community groups and parents to interest young girls in science. The program is designed to bring together a synergistic network of adults and children to increase the involvement of young girls in science and mathematics, while heightening their levels of enjoyment and self-confidence in these area. Ultimately, programs such as this will serve a longer range goal to increase the number of women entering into scientific and science-related fields. The focus is to provide motivational, hands-on science experiences, both inside and outside the classroom, to fourth and fifth grade girls, and to establish the support necessary to maintain an interest in science. A positive change in attitude toward science can be achieved by providing the girls with exciting, hands-on materials, opportunities to experience success in science, and support from teachers and parents. Thus, the project's overall goals are: to create a supportive environment for young girls to pursue science studies; to provide a model that can be replicated by schools, community groups and parents; to foster, in young girls, a positive attitude toward science, technology and related mathematics; to encourage participation in science and related math activities; to increase teachers' and parents' awareness of social bias toward women in science. Approaches will be employed to develop self-esteem and build confidence in the use of scientific and technological equipment. Participants will be directly involved in scientific investigation and cooperative learning. Components of this program include: specific training for parents and teachers; hands-on science workshops for girls in grades 4 and 5; classroom activities with mixed-gender groups; and female role models in the sciences. Training sessions for teachers and parents will consist of attitude awareness exercises, teaching and patenting strategies, and hands-on science instruction. Parents w ill participate in an initial evening hands-on science workshop with their daughters. During the year there will be five additional, hands-on science workshops at Talcott Mountain Science Center for the girls and their teachers. Parents will be encouraged to attend and to work with their daughters on science activities at home. Following each hands-on science workshop, the teachers will conduct hands-on science activities in the regular classroom on related topics. All participants and collaborators will be linked via an established computer network through the Science Center. Students will have the opportunity to dialogue with local female role models at work and explore applications of science to potential career choices. Students also will have access to national role models through Project PROMMISE, (Providing Role Model Minorities In Science Education). Dissemination, with the goal of replication by others, is an important aspect of this project. Vehicles of dissemination include a live interactive telecast, and newsletter, a handbook for developing a model program and an accompanying training video tape. ***
