[Cynette]

Originally Posted by sammyjalex

Let's bring up what might be a sore subject.

A number of studies http://advances.asee.org/wp-content/...ssue02-p11.pdf show through qualitative survey and observation that girls demonstrate more consistently positive attitudes toward science and technology when applications demonstrate the social value of the field - the fight against disease, geriatric care, managing natural disasters, or modifying the food we eat. The reasoning is consistently used to discuss the rising numbers of women in biology, environmental science, and even biomedical engineering as opposed to the stagnantly low numbers in physics, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, etc. More recently, we are seeing computer science join the former category.

The example sees girls demonstrate more confidence and more positive attitudes than boys and even draws upon a handful of quantitative measures through which a sample of girls outperform boys.

This is fascinating! And makes sense! It would make the model for FLL perfect for attracting girls into STEM and FRC not as attractive for retaining them. Having this information could change the way we recruit young women. It never would have crossed my mind to highlight the altruistic aspects of FIRST as a hook and make the team support. technology introduction and even the enticement of scholarships a secondary benefit!