Taking it Personally: Project Exploration’s Sisters4Science Gabrielle Lyon Cofounder and Executive Director July 14,

Goals Create a safe space for girls to explore science and develop leadership skills Expose girls to the wide variety of roles played by women in science Improve girls’ school performance by developing goal-setting, decision-making, and communication skills

One Diva, One Mic Code of Conduct

Girls co-create curriculum

GET, KEEP, EQUIP

Is getting girls interested in science really a problem?

Some Stuff We Know… Providing high-quality courses is “necessary but not enough” to retain women in science programs – intervening at precollege levels is critical… Students from underrepresented minority groups face specific obstacles at different points…

What about co-ed programs? Co-ed programs typically do 1 of 3 things: Emphasize differences Males are the model Everyone is the same

Girls No Boys  Programs run by women, who also serve as role models;  Help girls recognize inequities and develop strategies for addressing them;  Girls learn respect for themselves, shared concerns and how to work together;  Girls are exposed to a range of roles women play.

From Girls For Girls… Welcoming place to talk about lives Caring relationships with adults Meaningful experiences Support, rather than “direction,” from adults “Speak for yourself,” Girls Best Friend Foundation

Project Exploration Thank you Motorola Foundation and to all the funders who support our work to change the face of science!

Research of Interest Girls’ Coalition of Greater Boston (2006) Where are the Girls? Boston: MA. t.asp t.asp Jolly, E., Campbell, P., & Perlman, L. (2004). Engagement, capacity, continuity: A trilogy for student success. GE Foundation. Phillips, L.M. (2005) Speak for Yourself: What Girls Say About What Girls Need. Strobel, K., Kirshner, B., O’Donoghue, J. & McLaughlin, M. (2008) Qualities That Attract Urban Youth to After- School Settings and Promote Continued Participation. Teachers College Record. 110(8),