Submitted by:
Nancy Lindsley-Griffin
Associate Professor
Geology
University of Nebraska
214 Bessey Hall
Lincoln, NE 68588-0340 USA
v: (402) 472-2629
f: (402) 472-4917
e: lindsley@de.unl.edu
nig@unlinfo.unl.edu
Categories:
Education, K12; Education, continuing or distance; Research, academic; Other–Informal Education
Keywords:
Innovative or improved ways of doing things; More equitable access to technology or electronic information; Creation of new ideas, products, or services; Local commitment to network-based activities; Volunteer contributions of time and energy
Supporting Documentation (contact author for more information):
Video; Slides/photographs; Other — reports written by girls, statistical data, anecdotal data
The Story:
The goal of the W.I.S.E. Project is to increase the number of rural and minority women entering careers in science, engineering, or science education. The Project is supported by funding from the National Science Foundation Young Scholars Program and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; previously funding has been supplied by the National Science Foundation Career Access Opportunities Program. Now entering its fourth year, the Project has over 150 girls active in its mentoring program. Each year, 45 girls who have completed the seventh grade are selected from all over the state of Nebraska to attend a three week summer science institute, “Physics of the Earth’s Environment”. The institutes cover basic computer skills, scientific methodology, scientific ethics, career opportunities, and allow the girls to participate in actual scientific research.
Upon completing the summer institute the girls are loaned a Macintosh computer with a modem, and connected to a statewide electronic network (currently, nde–Nebraska Dept. Education). During the school year they receive mentoring from scientists and science educators, and have the opportunity to discuss science with a number of researchers. Each girl continues to research a problem of her selection, and is expected to present her results at our Spring Science Conference (Apr. 17-18,1993). Each girl returns for a second summer science institute, and is allowed to keep the computer as long as she is active in the mentoring program, until she graduates from high school. As a college professor, I advise the girls on scientific methodology or on specific areas in the general fields of Earth Science and Geophysics.
For additional information contact:
Janet Wright
Project Coordinator
W.I.S.E. Project
University of Nebraska
214 Bessey Hall
Lincoln, NE 68588-0306
v: (402) 472-4632
f: (402) 472-4917
e: jwright@de.uni.edu