Description

This research project addresses the critical need for greater participation of women and other underrepresented groups in SET not only to help meet the demand for qualified people in these areas but also to insure a diverse workforce with the varied perspectives and experiences needed to develop new questions, approaches, practices, and interpretations.

Despite recent increases in the participation of women in SET, women still are underrepresented in several fields like physics, engineering, and computer science. While, a number of factors at home and in schools are likely to play a role in the under-representation of women in SET, this study focuses on the role of broader cultural factors, and specifically the potential influence of the media, as socializing agents that can affect children’s perceptions of women in SET and their attitudes toward SET and SET careers.

The project has three main objectives: 1) to assess the influence of media literacy training on middle school-aged children's ability to recognize stereotyped media portrayals of women scientists, engineers, and information technology professionals, 2) to assess the influence of media literacy training on their perceptions of women in SET, and 3) to assess the influence of media literacy training on their attitudes toward SET and SET careers.