Undoing Underachievement and Promoting Societal Advancement of Women and Girls

Abstract

Yewchuck and Chatterton (1990) found stereotypical attitudes of others the strongest deterrent to career success for women. Wilgosh (1993) also examined how societal expectations of girls influence their failure to realize their full potential, particularly in mathematics and sciences. This paper focuses on undoing underachievement of women and girls. It is about a unique program that brings together training in high school and college-level mathematics and sciences and better linkages between schools, post-secondary institutions and the business community. The program contributes significantly in the preparation of students for skilled, technological occupations in a knowledge-intensive economy. The Shad Valley Program is a co-educational, residential summer program offered to gifted high school students at eight Canadian universities, dedicated to building bridges between industry and education, especially in the areas of science, technology, and entrepreneurship. A fifteen year retrospective study of its applicants and participants will provide direction for schools and businesses in the identification of key personal and educational experiences that contribute to increased levels of science literacy for both male and female students.