The Florida Girls Collaborative Project: Increasing Gender Equity in STEM

Why STEM? Our nation’s future hinges on our ability to prepare our next generation to be innovators in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Yet far too few of our students are prepared for the challenges ahead, and other countries are leaving us in their wake. -Change the Equation “It is time to restore science to its rightful place, and …to wield technology’s wonders to meet the demands of a new age.” –President Obama

Why Florida? In 2010, Florida’s population broke the 20 million mark, making it the third most populous state in the country. In 2011, the baby boom cohort will begin entry to retirement. FL ranks 4 th for number of high tech workers. High tech workers earn more than double the average of other employees. FL scores below the national average on a number of success and education indicators.

Why Florida? In 2006, Florida’s high school graduation rate was 58% Only 34% of Florida high school graduates were ready for college math 20% of Florida high school graduates were adequately prepared for college science courses 30% of 8 th graders in Florida scored below basic on math performance on the NAEP Only 29% scored proficient or above

National Girls Collaborative Project The National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) brings together organizations that are committed to informing and encouraging girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Current Regional Collaboratives Connecticut Florida Great Lakes (IN, MI, MN, OH, WI) Kentucky Maine Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE,MD, VA) Midwest (IL, KS, MO) New Hampshire/ Vermont North Carolina Pacific Northwest (AK, HI, ID, MT, OR, WA) Pennsylvania Southern New England (MA, RI) Texas Tennessee

Project Goals 1.Maximize access to shared resources within projects and with public and private sector organizations and institutions interested in expanding girls’ participation in STEM. 2.Strengthen capacity of existing and evolving projects by sharing promising practice research and program models, outcomes and products. 3.Use the leverage of a network or collaboration of individual girl-serving STEM programs to create the tipping point for gender equity in STEM.

NGCP Components Collaborative Events Conferences, Forums, and Webcasts Program Directory Project Web site E- Newsletter Incentives to collaborate Mini-Grant funds National and Regional Champions Boards

NGCP Impact 11,469,883 visits to the NGCP Web site in 4 years 2064 programs are listed in the online NGCP Program Directory 17,058 participants served in 126 mini-grants completing activities 9,119 practitioners have been served through events and Webcasts 4,865,557 girls are served indirectly by NGCP by having their leaders trained in the philosophy, knowledge, and methods of NGCP.

Why Collaborate? There are uncoordinated services to girls interested in STEM careers. Collaboration allows for creation of a higher quality, more integrated product for end users. Collaboration reduces isolation among STEM professionals. Collaborative relationships increase access to scarce resources.

Why Collaborate? Collaboration increases capacity to provide more opportunities to girls and women in STEM. Collaboration strengthens relationships among organizations. It also increases the potential for organizational and individual learning by sharing promising practices. Organizations have a better ability to achieve important outcomes.

Collaboration in Action- She’s a Scientist!

Best Practices in Successful Collaboration Prepare Look Plan

Best Practices in Successful Collaboration PREPARE Reflect on past collaborations and the characteristics of successful or ineffective collaborations. Create a quick summary of your program services you can easily share when you first meet potential collaborators.

Best Practices in Successful Collaboration PREPARE Identify your program/institutional strengths and challenges. Identify the program/institutional resources you have to offer. Identify your program/institutional needs.

Best Practices in Successful Collaboration LOOK Find the “home” of your audience who can benefit from your research findings/program products and services. Identify assistance or guides that can help you.

Best Practices in Successful Collaboration PLAN Be flexible and patient. Allow for organizational diversity.

Best Practices in Successful Collaboration PLAN Create a positive relationship based on mutual trust. Create a collaboration agreement or action plan. Debrief the collaboration.

NGCP Resources Collaboration Guide Program Directory Mini-Grant Schedule Archived Webcasts Join the NGCP listserv

NGCP Contact Information Amy Foster, National Program Manager Shari Money, Florida Collaborative Lead