PLN: Developing a Women Interested in Mathematics and Science Advancement (WIMSA) Network in a Rural Community

Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction CO

Investigators

Abstract

Developing a Women Interested in Mathematics and Science Advancement (WIMSA) Network in a Rural Community Women's deeply ingrained negative perceptions of science and mathematics are directly linked to their underrepresentation in these and related fields (Gottfried, 1993). The goal of our project is to increase the participation of women from rural communities in the fields of science, mathematics, engineering and technology (SMET). To achieve our goal, we will initiate a program that involves women throughout the community in a sustained network of support. This is an exciting, complex, long-term project. This proposal is for a PGE Demonstration Planning Grant, which will enable us to prepare a strong, comprehensive proposal for a full PGE Demonstration Grant. Our full grant will address the inequities experienced by girls, particularly in low-tech rural areas. The full grant will be used to create a program, called Women Interested in Mathematics and Science Advancement (WIMSA). The WIMSA program will consist of a network of people and organizations, all with the goal of increasing the participation and success of females in mathematics and science. The full proposal will address recruitment of WIMSA network members, sustaining their membership, and expanding the WIMSA program. The PGE Demonstration Planning project will focus on the design of all aspects of the WIMSA program. One of the two main planning grant objectives will be to design our pilot project, the annual WIMSA Summer Program (WSP) for middle school girls, which will have the dual purpose ofbeing the initial impetus to bring people into the WIMSA network, and of increasing the skill level of middle school girls and teachers. A planning committee, consisting of two K-12 teachers, two college students, and the two Principal Investigators, will be formed to develop the summer program. The committee will determine the size and scope of the program, design program activities and curriculum, and will collaborate with community organizations regarding WSP field activities. The program design will build on the successes of other SMET intervention programs for women across the country. Our other main planning grant objective will be to design the WIMSA network connections and activities. We envision this network bringing together Mesa State faculty and students, K-12 teachers and students, private businesses, government organizations, educational associations, community leaders and any local programs involved with science and mathematics. Our first activity will be a WIMSA kickoff meeting, hosted by Mesa State, which will include people from all target organizations and will introduce them to the WIMSA concept. We will create a WISMA Advisory Board that will oversee all aspects of the WIMSA project, including writing the full PGE Demonstration Grant. We will design college courses to provide ongoing SMET activities and training for WIMSA members, including a graduate credit component for K-12 teachers. We will collaborate with local businesses and professionals to design activities for the WSP, internship opportunities for WIMSA college students, job-shadowing opportunities for K-12 students, and presentation opportunities at Mesa State. In order to sustain such relationshipsand collaborations, there will be WIMSA meetings at least three times per year. Although there are no programs in our area addressing the lack of females in SMET fields, there are programs and organizations committed to improving our community, and many people who wish to make a difference. The WIMSA program will provide an incredible opportunity to harness and coordinate these resources and create a very effective program that will have long-ranging impact.