Curricula

Activities & Experiences

Mentoring: Experience and the Literature

Narrative

Oftentimes when we are working with young people we can draw from a wealth of literature that exists on almost all subjects. But what we cannot often find are case studies exactly like the young person sitting in front of us. At that point our professional judgement, observational skills and life experiences help us provide guidance and support. The purpose of this activity is to provide participants with an opportunity to: sharpen observation skills, compare and share the literature we draw from and to provide a forum to discuss each case study.

Please note that we wrote this experience for mentors and counselors and we then realized that young women of all ages have the opportunity to mentor someone: middle school students working with kindergartners and college students work with middle school students are just some of the possibilities where mentoring skills could be developed along with the STEM skills.

	Objectives Develop personal and educational empowerment skills for young women. Increase awareness of possible careers and career paths in the STEM professions. Enhance formative assessment skills so that young women and their mentors may continually identify learning strengths and hurdles. Materials Needed Copy of "The Gender Chip" Appropriate technology to show the movie Butcher paper Markers

Guided Experience

Please ask all participants to bring their favorite sources for coaching young women in the science and math fields. In order to include both new and experienced counselors, sources might include books and/or inspirational writing or quotes

Before showing the movie the The Gender Chip, divide the large group into five smaller groups. Each group should then be assigned one of the young women in the film. Their task is to observe each young woman and create a case study. Allow each group a few minutes to assign tasks and roles.

After the movie have each group meet and create a case study of the young woman. Paying particular attention to noting where she struggled, what resources she searched for and the pattern of questions she asked and where she drew her support.

Have each group present their study to the whole group.

As a whole group ask every student to create a timeline profile of what the literature says a young woman will need and experience. Next, have each group present their case studies. In discussion, compare the case studies with the literature. Ask the group to consider which resources and sources will assist each young woman and share what sources in the room the counselors can draw from as they work with young women.

Note: The discussion question guide may be used to cue up the group discussion or guide any of the small groups that are stuck.