"Give Girls a Chance"

Responding to “Give Girls a Chance: Building a Bridge to Science and Technology,” By Roberta Furger

Summary

The article poses an example in action of how to reduce the gender disparity within careers in the realm of technology and science. The highlighted program, entitled Techbridge, is a collaborative effort of one community to offer quality hands-on training in these areas for girls. Its major goals are reducing negative social factors and providing a space for exploration and development of skills. Partnering with local schools, the program offers its services as an augmentation to the class day, in some cases once a week and in others daily as an elective. Like a charter school, those interested apply and then are selected into the program. Girls are enticed by the “girls-only” policy. The activities mentioned illustrate a highly constructivist learning environment, where the students are in charge of their own learning. This is a snapshot of real girls taking small steps toward gender equality in the workforce.

Reaction

I am intrigued by the framework laid out is this article. As an advocate of the constructive classroom, absolutely, I envision the success such a program would accomplish. From the small picture given here, it simply looks like great teaching to me. Criticisms I would offer include the small-size proportion of this example. What would it take to implement such programs on a grander-scale? Another point I would like to interject is this: why not bring such excellence into the regular classroom for all students? An open and inviting atmosphere would be established and respect for all would be promoted. On one hand, I see the benefit to specializing this for girls, but, on the other hand, I can also view a coed group, within an atmosphere I described. With this said, I am all for expanding the horizons of every student, which is what Techbridge is accomplishing.

Reference

Furger, R. (2003).  “Give Girls a Change: Building a Bridge to Science and Technology.” Retrieved from Edutopia: http://www.edutopia.org/techbridge-science-technology-girls