Engaging Middle School Girls in Math and Science

Middle school makes a difference. Starting in the middle school grades, girls are less likely to choose elective courses in math and science. This decline in participation is especially severe for low-income or disadvantaged girls, girls with severe learning disabilities, and girls who are learning English as a new language. Engaging Middle School Girls in Math and Science brings teachers together to explore how they can make a difference at this critical time.

• Are some girls in your classes or programs tuning out of math or science?
• Are you wondering why there are still so few women in math, science, or technology careers and how can you help your students get there?
• Do you want to learn how to effectively reach girls of color, girls who are learning English, or girls with disabilities?
• Have your wondered how to increase interest and achievement for all students?
• Are you looking for ways to exchange ideas with other math or science educators?

Achieve your goal of developing more equitable classrooms for boys and girls.

This course builds on the premise that math and science represent useful skills and approaches to addressing life experiences regardless of whether they lead to careers in these fields. You'll meet with colleagues online to explore ways to create classrooms that are supportive of girls' successes in math and science. Building on what teachers already know about good instructional practice, this course addresses the unique social and academic needs of girls. Through this course you'll gain new insights into how to increase the interest of middle school girls in math and science, to support their achievement so that they continue to pursue math and science courses in high school, and provide them with the foundation to pursue a variety of options at the college level. In this nine-week course, participants will:

• explore the subject with colleagues
• examine ways of including different perspectives
• share research information, relevant web-links, reflective exercises, and engaging discussion
  
• explore unconscious biases into which individuals are socialized and that permeate instructional practice
• examine hidden gender-based assumptions in the MST curriculum
• examine good instructional practice that recognizes the unique needs of students who are girls of color, English Language Learners (ELL), and/or have disabilities
• try resources such as tools, materials, and role models that enable teachers to be more inclusive in their representation of good math, science, and technology practices
• learn how to build family and community support that values girls' successes in math, science, and technology
• meet and explore the subject with colleagues, share research information, reflective exercises, and lots of good discussion
• work on a project of their choosing—e.g. research, reflection, designing new materials to be shared during Session 8.

Registration & Fee Information

Registration Deadline:
Course Duration:
Technology Tutorial:
Fee: $400 includes course material (add $40 per person for College Credit)
Enrollment: This course is limited to 20 with a minimum of 15 participants needed.
Register: Please complete and submit the online registration form, and print out and mail or fax the payment form. Participants will not be officially registered until payment is received.
Fax: (617) 332-4318

Register: For registration information, please contact snair@edc.org

Course Sessions

Hands-on tutorial
Session 1: Gender in math and science classrooms
Session 2: Equitable expectations and interactions
Session 3: Equitable teaching strategies
Session 4: Counteracting bias in math and science curricula
Session 5: Equity in assessment
Session 6: Power, empowerment and competence
Session 7: Family and community support
Session 8: Final student presentations

Requirements

Course Requirements

1. a minimum of 3 hours online per session
2. post at least 3 messages per session
3. weekly posted responses to questions
4. complete, prepare and post a final activity

Computer Requirements

All you need to participate is access to the Internet, an e-mail address, and your commitment to girls' success in math and science. You will also find access to a class/group of students helful for completing activities. You can register as an individual, as part of a team from a school, or as part of a team from an entire district.

Course Credits

Professional Development Points:

For information on requirements for professional development points in your state, contact your district or state education department.

College Credits:

Participants seeking course credit can receive college credit (either undergraduate or graduate) through Antioch University for this course. To enroll for course credit, indicate at which level you wish to participate where appropriate on the registration form and include an additional $40 (per person) as part of your payment. In addition to regular course requirements, there are other specific requirements for the final project if you choose this option