WOMAN POWER!!! MATHEMATICS CAMP
By: Carolyn J. Murphy

STANDARD: All students will be able to identify career areas which are nontraditional for their gender.

GRADE LEVEL: 5-12, Mathematics

OBJECTIVE(S):

1. To target girls to stimulate their career interests in math and science.
2. To introduce girls to successful women in non-stereotypical careers.
3. Students will utilize reading and listening skills.
4. Students will engage in critical thinking activities as they relate to non-traditional careers.

TIME: Girls summer camp: 2-3 weeks (Equity Exchange Program)

DESCRIPTION OF "SUMMER CAMP":

The camp would include activities such as aerobics, tennis, and classes in nutrition. Seminars would include role models from the work place. Nontraditional professions and occupations such as systems analysts, scientists, actuaries, architects, entrepreneurs, and economists would be the focus. The girls would have opportunities to talk with women in such informal settings as a picnic. The vehicle of transmission should be limited only to the imaginations of the teachers and students involved. The camp might be used to establish mentorships with the role models. A recent symposium held at the University of Notre Dame paired girls with professional women in math and science areas who tracked their progress throughout high school.

PROCEDURES:

1. In the "camp", the girls will be presented open-ended problem solving activities. Solutions will be arrived at, not in a competitive atmosphere, but rather in a cooperative milieu.
2. Instructors will receive in-service training about gender bias. Studies report that girls rate teacher support as an important factor in making their decisions to pursue scientific and technological careers. (A.A.U.W. Report, "How Schools shortchange Girls". Executive Summary)