WITS - Women in the Sciences

[MC WITS Home Page]


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What is the misson of WITS (Women in The Sciences)?


WITS was started in 1988 to address a national problem of a disproportionately small number of females enrolling in upper level math and science courses. Some factors that lead to these inequities are, cultural gender biases in the classroom, a failure to encourage an interest in sciences at an early age, and a scarcity of female role models. Also, a nation wide study, Why Schools Shortchange Girls (AAUW, 1992) , suggests that teachers favor boys over girls in classroom interactions leading to lower self esteem and academic confidence in girls, and fewer girls in academically challenging subjects such as math and science. It is hoped that by training teachers in gender awareness in the classroom, in methods of motivating female students in math and science, and by augmenting their knowledge in various scientific disciplines, that more women will choose to enter careers in science.

Click here to read the WITS Mission Statement!


What has WITS done?

WITS implemented three programs:

  1. a summer camp for teachers and middle school students, 1989 to current to 1994 for teachers).
  2. school year seminars for teachers, 1989 to 1994.
  3. school year classes for students, 1988-90,1992-95.
In the summer camps, teachers are able to teach middle school students in collaboration with college professors. Students get a week of hands on learning in the maths and the sciences. For more information on the "Reach for the stars!" summer camp, click here.

In the seminars, teachers are given opportunities to refine their skills in the maths and sciences and try out ideas and experiments in college labs.

The after school school-year classes are designed to reinforce and extend experiences from the summer camps.

Who Contributes to WITS Funding?

WITS has pursued funding from public and private sources to supplement the modest tuition charges. Two grants, one from the Ohio Board of Regents and the other from the M.H. Jennings Foundation provided intial start up funds. WITS has been the recipient of an award from the Ameritech Partnership Program. In 1991, WITS won the Merck Foundation Centennial Award and a $100,000 endowment from Consolidated Natural Gas Foundation. The Ohio Environmental Education Fund and the United States EPA provided substantial finding for 1992-1993 activities. Afterschool and summer progams, for 1993-1994 and 1994-1995, were funded by a grant from the Eisenhower Math and Science Program. Area industries, such as the Shell Chemical Company Foundation, have donated funds for student scholarships.

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WITS Sumer Science Camp
Gender Studies Page
Marietta College Home Page

For additional information about WITS contact:

Dorothy J. Erb, WITS Director
Education Department
Marietta College
Marietta, Ohio 45750
Work Phone: (614) 376-4761
Email: Erbd@mcnet.marietta.edu



Last modified April 14, 1999