Curricula

Activities & Experiences

19th or 20th Century Women in Science

All Levels

Narrative

This is another ‘safe’ way to develop knowledge about women in science and to fill in gaps of history and textbooks. It involves students in directing their own scope of study and working together to assemble a project that all can contribute to.

	Objectives Create a forum for studying the contributions to STEM of women throughout history. Develop personal and educational empowerment skills for young women. Develop sensitivities for students of both genders to career options decision-making for girls and women Increase awareness of possible careers and career paths in the STEM professions. Materials Needed Access to the Internet and library for research The Gender Chip Noted Female Scientists list

Guided Experience

This is a variation on several previous activities where the limits of investigation are grounded in certain time frames. The value of this exercise is to gain a more specific sense of what was taking place within a time frame. It would also be suggested that this activity might include an international selection of possible women so that each student might pursue choices that they feel a connection with. (It might be interesting and helpful to ask students why they chose their subject.) Due to the advent of lithographs and photography, it is highly possible to obtain images of these women scientists as part of making the connection with their choices and their lives—this would be strongly recommended. Again, students would then find an opportunity to display and share their information in several possible venues such as ‘A Walk Through History’ or wall and art displays or a collection bound into a book.