Overview of the Directorate for Education and Human Resources EHR

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Why the Difference?
Engaging Girls in Science Engineering Findings
from NSF, Opportunities for Practitioners
Julie I. Johnson Science Museum of
Minnesota June 28, 2006
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NSFs Unique Purpose
National Science Foundation
In partnership with the STEM community, NSF
identifies and invests in emerging areas of
research and education that offer exceptional
promise to advance knowledge.
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The Directorate for Education and Human
Resources (EHR)
National Science Foundation
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EHR Goals

• Prepare the next generation of STEM professionals
  
• Develop a robust research community
• Increase the technological, scientific and
  quantitative literacy
• Broaden participation

National Science Foundation
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What are EHRs Investment Strategies to Achieve
the Mission?

• Support RD that advances the knowledge essential
  for a robust and challenging STEM education
  experience.
• Integrate research and education across the
  Foundation and with other federal agencies.
• Attract more U.S. students to STEM and retain
  them in the enterprise.
• Broaden participation in STEM fields.

National Science Foundation
4th-graders at Glenallen Elementary in Silver
Spring, Maryland, examine leaves for
micro-organisms. Their teacher was a 2001 PAESMT
awardee.
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Research on Gender in Science Engineering

• Since 1993
• Funded 340 projects to date
• Research on gender differences and gaps in
  interest, learning, achievement, recruitment,
  retention, career interest -- K-16
• To broaden the participation of girls and women
  in science engineering education and careers
• National scope

National Science Foundation
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Types of Grants

• Research
• - Gender-based differences in learning,
  experience
• - Barriers to interest and performance
• - Equitable learning environments
• Dissemination
• - Reach significant audiences (regional or
  national)
• - Enhance educational practice through
  information
• - Provide a feedback loop between practitioners
• and researchers
• - Catalyze thinking future action through
• conferences, meetings, workshops

National Science Foundation
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Types of Grants

• Extension Services
• - Proactively promote a unified program of
• change
• - Draw on exemplary evidence-based
• practices
• - Consult to a region or community
• - Provide implementation support and advice
• - Build our knowledge about implementation
• - Create a feedback loop between
• practitioners and researchers

National Science Foundation
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K-12 Research What Do We Know?

• Stereotypical image of scientist emerges by 2d
  grade
• By 8th grade, boys are twice as interested in
  STEM careers
• Teachers unconsciously interact more with boys in
  classroom
• Encouragement from parents teachers works
• All students and esp. girls like inquiry-based,
  hands-on, cooperative team problem-solving with
  social relevance

National Science Foundation
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K-12 Research What Do We Know?

• Most adults students are unaware of range of
  careers open
• US high school students are ahead internationally
  at 4th grade and behind by 12th grade
• Girls dont have same exposure or encouragement
  to engage tools, computers,informal science as
  boys
• Girls think about computers We can, but I
  dont want to
• Special clubs and summer camps work to change this

National Science Foundation
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College What Do We Know?

• Changing the curriculum works encourage, dont
  weed incorporate social issues (womens)
• Bridge programs work
• Residential learning communities work
• Mentoring and networking
• Career awareness
• Research experience

National Science Foundation
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College What Do We Know?

• Industry internships
• Positive interaction with faculty
• Presence of female faculty role models
• Women interpret lack of encouragement as
  discouragement
• Some single-sex classrooms work
• Train faculty in gender research

National Science Foundation
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Graduate School What Do We Know?

• Graduation rate affected by
• Interaction with faculty
• Isolation/integration with department
• Departments attitude toward family
  responsibilities
• Nature of the discipline
• Role models mentors
• Female faculty
• Presence of other female students
• Sexual harassment

National Science Foundation
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Professional Life What Do We Know?

• Female scientists often not informed about
  business careers
• Women exit SE industry at twice rate as men
• Barriers to advancement
• Absence of role models
• Isolation
• Exclusion from informal networks
• Lack of mentoring
• Work/life balance
• Covert discrimination exists recruitment,
  selection, advancement
• Salaries are not equal
• Supportiveness is key factor

National Science Foundation
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Topics For Exploration

• K-5 Education
• Multiple Factor Studies at more than one site
• STEM Teacher Education
• STEM Disciplinary Content and its relationship to
  Gender Bias
• Research on Informal Education Initiatives
• Meta-Analyses of existing studies
• Research on Communities of Color in STEM education

National Science Foundation
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Significant Investments In Synthesis
Toolkit for educators, researchers, students,
parents and others - what is and isnt
known about sex differences and similarities
and why certain misconceptions
persist - synthesis, bibliography, tips on
finding research - Downloadable audio-visual
messages, media toolkit for researchers HRD
05-33486 Wellesley College, Susan Bailey
Campbell-Kibler Assoc Analysis of themes
trends in research across 1960s and 1990s -
intergenerational, cross-discipline conference
publications HRD 05-33399 U of Mass Lowell,
Paula Rayman Booklets for parents on issues for
girls - with Spanish version - online
forum for parents, field test at national
events HRD 04-36230 Ilines, Sally Ride
National Science Foundation
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The Directorate for Education and Human
Resources (EHR)
National Science Foundation
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Division of Elementary, Secondary and Informal
Education (ESIE)

• ESIE programs are designed to improve the
  educational experiences of all students in school
  settings pre-kindergarten through the 12th
  grade and to increase and improve the
  opportunities for all individuals to explore
  science, mathematics, and technology beyond the
  school setting.

National Science Foundation
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Division of Research, Evaluation, and
Communication (REC)

• The mission of the Division of Research,
  Evaluation, and Communication (REC) is (1) to
  advance discovery and innovation at the frontiers
  of STEM learning (2) to serve as the
  intellectual hub that unites education research
  and evaluation activities across the Foundation
  and (3) to help coordinate the Foundations
  education research and evaluation efforts with
  those of other government agencies.

National Science Foundation
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Division of Research in Learning in Formal and
Informal Environments
Informal Science Education (ISE)
Research and Evaluation on Education in Science
and Engineering (REESE)
National Science Foundation
Discovery Research K-12 (DR K-12)
Information Technology Experiences for Students
and Teachers (ITEST)
NSF Academies for Young Scientists
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Research and Evaluation on Education in Science
and Engineering (REESE)
National Science Foundation

• NSF 06-537
• Supports basic and applied research and
  evaluation that enhances STEM learning and
  teaching. It supports two types of research
  synthesis studies and empirical proposals.

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Discovery Research K-12 (DR K-12)
Discovery research comprises research,
development, and evaluation activities through
which knowledge is generated and applied with
some immediacy to improve STEM learning and
teaching. Discovery Research lies between the
long-term, higher-risk research generated by
REESE and the large-scale implementation of
tested innovations
National Science Foundation
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Resources
National Science Foundation
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• New Formulas for America's Workforce
• Girls in Science and Engineering
• A free book from the National Science
  Foundation
• Find experts, get ideas to change the face of
  science
• and engineering
• More than 200 ways to engage students
• For teachers, counselors, museums, schools,
  faculty,
• parents
• Go to http//www.nsf.gov/home/orderpub.htm and
  request
• NSF 03-207 for book
• NSF 03-208 for CD
• Also online at http//www.nsf.gov/pubs/2003/nsf032
  07/start.htm
• http//www.nsf.gov/newformulas

National Science Foundation
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• I hear, and I forget
• I see, and I remember
• I do, and I understand

Chinese proverb Lao Tau