Article 5 - "Give Girls a Chance: Building a Bridge to Science and Technology"

Summary:
The article begins by describing Techbridge, a partnership between Oakland Public Schools, two universities in the area, and Chabot Space and Science Center, which is funded by the National Science Foundation and is designed to promote gender equity in science, engineering, and math. Furger then goes on to explain how the program was introduced in various schools, and the effect it has had on one girl in particular. She explains how being good at, or interested in, science and technology has not been an attractive thing for many girls, and that Techbridge provides a place where they can explore this interest without judgment from boys or other girls, and without ridicule. She says that it also provides the girls with more exposure to women involved in sciences, and helps them build confidence in their own leadership skills. Furger ends the article by giving an example of how the girls in Techbridge meet up to discuss what they are working on, and how they support each other to do their best.

Conclusion:
I love the idea that this article discusses, of taking girls who are too afraid to pursue an interest in science and technology, or those who could use confidence building and are struggling in school, and getting them in an all-girl environment where they can feel more free to explore things without the fear of ridicule for messing up. Furger also said in the article that part of the reason that the girls in Techbridge are so successful in finishing long-term projects is that they can choose their work themselves. I think that adding an academic club like this where students have more control over what they explore and work on can be a great way to get kids who are having a tough time in school to feel like they can do well. I'm not entirely sure how the girls are chosen for Techbridge in every instance, but I think that if teachers were informed to be on the lookout, this kind of program could be a great help for many at-risk girls.


Furger, R. Give girls a chance: building a bridge to science and technology. Edutopia. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/techbridge-science-technology-girls