Women, African Americans, Women, African Americans, Hispanics and Native Hispanics and Native

Americans in Science and Americans in Science and Engineering – why so few?Engineering – why so few?

Jeff JaroszJeff Jarosz

Whiting School of EngineeringWhiting School of Engineering

Johns Hopkins UniversityJohns Hopkins University

November 1, 2006November 1, 2006

What disciplines attract the most What disciplines attract the most undergraduate students?undergraduate students?

Business management and Business management and administrative services – 19%administrative services – 19%

Social sciences and history – 10%Social sciences and history – 10% Education – 8%Education – 8% Engineering – 5% Engineering – 5% Physical sciences – 1.6%Physical sciences – 1.6%

Under-representation in S/E Baccalaureates Under-representation in S/E Baccalaureates

S/E together: women earn 50% of S/E together: women earn 50% of baccalaureatesbaccalaureates

chemistry = 51% womenchemistry = 51% women CS 25%, physics 22%, engineering 20%CS 25%, physics 22%, engineering 20%

S/E together: African Americans 8%S/E together: African Americans 8% CS 10%, engineering 5%, physics 4%, CS 10%, engineering 5%, physics 4%,

mechanical engineering 3.5%mechanical engineering 3.5%

US ENGINEERING SCHOOLS US ENGINEERING SCHOOLS ARE 80% MALE AND ARE 80% MALE AND

84% WHITE/ASIAN84% WHITE/ASIAN

20% women20% women 8% Hispanic8% Hispanic 7% African American7% African American 1% Native1% Native

Engineering faculty = 90% maleEngineering faculty = 90% male

Engineering WorkforceEngineering Workforce

Blacks, Hispanics & Natives comprise 25% of Blacks, Hispanics & Natives comprise 25% of US population, 33% of school-age populationUS population, 33% of school-age population

……but only 11% of STEM workforce and just but only 11% of STEM workforce and just 6% of engineering workforce6% of engineering workforce

White males comprise 36% of US pop.White males comprise 36% of US pop. ……but 75% of engineering workforcebut 75% of engineering workforce

Some JHU StatisticsSome JHU StatisticsWOMEN (2005)WOMEN (2005) students 51% (WSE 25%)students 51% (WSE 25%) faculty 35% overallfaculty 35% overall faculty SOM 33%, KSAS 24%, WSE 11%faculty SOM 33%, KSAS 24%, WSE 11% full professors 18%full professors 18% Among 18 peer universities, JHU tied for last place for Among 18 peer universities, JHU tied for last place for

women in executive leadershipwomen in executive leadership

AFRICAN AMERICANSAFRICAN AMERICANS Undergrads 7.3% (2002) Undergrads 7.3% (2002) WSE 2.9% (2004)WSE 2.9% (2004) Faculty 2002: JHU = 2.9%, SOM = 2.9%, WSE = 1%Faculty 2002: JHU = 2.9%, SOM = 2.9%, WSE = 1%

Retention…also lowRetention…also low Percentage of white students who start Percentage of white students who start

engineering as frosh and graduate with engineering as frosh and graduate with baccalaureates in engineering = 61%baccalaureates in engineering = 61%

Percentage of minority students who Percentage of minority students who start engineering as frosh and graduate start engineering as frosh and graduate with baccalaureates in engineering = with baccalaureates in engineering = 38%38%

For all groups, ~ half the attrition For all groups, ~ half the attrition occurs in freshman yearoccurs in freshman year

SO WHAT?SO WHAT? Critical gap between nation’s need for Critical gap between nation’s need for

engineers and production of engineersengineers and production of engineers Severe worker shortage – 900,000 jobs Severe worker shortage – 900,000 jobs

unfilled in ITunfilled in IT Fastest growing occupations 1998-2008 are Fastest growing occupations 1998-2008 are

computer engineers @108% and computer computer engineers @108% and computer support specialists @102%support specialists @102%

1998-2008: 6 million job openings for 1998-2008: 6 million job openings for technically trained workers, mostly technically trained workers, mostly computers/health/engineeringcomputers/health/engineering

““Technology versus African Technology versus African Americans,” Anthony Walter, 1999Americans,” Anthony Walter, 1999

“ “What is intriguing, and deeply disturbing, is What is intriguing, and deeply disturbing, is that blacks have participated as equals in the that blacks have participated as equals in the technical world only as consumers, technical world only as consumers, otherwise existing on the margins of the otherwise existing on the margins of the ethos that defines the nation, under-ethos that defines the nation, under-represented as designers, innovators, and represented as designers, innovators, and implementers of our systems and implementers of our systems and machines….They don’t dream of becoming machines….They don’t dream of becoming programmers at Cisco.”programmers at Cisco.”

Ways to Enhance Diversity in Ways to Enhance Diversity in Science/EngineeringScience/Engineering

$cholarships$cholarships Clubs, social networksClubs, social networks Summer bridge programs, tutoringSummer bridge programs, tutoring ClimateClimate MentoringMentoring Curriculum: general reform, Curriculum: general reform,

multicultural elementsmulticultural elements

$cholarships$cholarships Baltimore ScholarsBaltimore Scholars Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowships for MinoritiesFord Foundation Predoctoral Fellowships for Minorities Gates Millennium ScholarsGates Millennium Scholars GEMGEM Hispanic Scholarship FundHispanic Scholarship Fund Luce FellowshipsLuce Fellowships Lucent Technologies Summer Research Program for Minorities Lucent Technologies Summer Research Program for Minorities

and Womenand Women MeyerhoffMeyerhoff NACME VanguardNACME Vanguard – for inner city youth; full tuition + – for inner city youth; full tuition +

housing; not based on SAT scores but on interactive assessment housing; not based on SAT scores but on interactive assessment of critical thinking, performance on teams, problem solving of critical thinking, performance on teams, problem solving (those skills which make a good engineer) (those skills which make a good engineer)

Dr. Freeman Hrabowski’sDr. Freeman Hrabowski’sMeyerhoff ScholarshipMeyerhoff Scholarship

Intensive pre-frosh summerIntensive pre-frosh summer CALCULUSCALCULUS CHEMISTRYCHEMISTRY STUDY SKILLSSTUDY SKILLS AFRICAN AMERICAN AFRICAN AMERICAN

LITERATURELITERATURE Community buildingCommunity building Civic responsibilityCivic responsibility Close mentoringClose mentoring

Networks for w/m: awards, conferences, Networks for w/m: awards, conferences, magazines, scholarships, summer programsmagazines, scholarships, summer programs

AIHEC – American Indian Higher Education ConsortiumAIHEC – American Indian Higher Education Consortium AISES – American Indian Science and Engineering SocietyAISES – American Indian Science and Engineering Society BEYA – Black Engineer of the Year AwardsBEYA – Black Engineer of the Year Awards BSU – Black Student UnionBSU – Black Student Union CAHSEE – Center for the Advancement of Hispanics in Science and CAHSEE – Center for the Advancement of Hispanics in Science and

EngineeringEngineering HENAAC – Hispanic Engineering National Achievement Award HENAAC – Hispanic Engineering National Achievement Award

ConferenceConference MAES – Mexican American Engineering SocietyMAES – Mexican American Engineering Society MentorNetMentorNet Native Circle - BSPHNative Circle - BSPH NSBE – National Society of Black EngineersNSBE – National Society of Black Engineers OlOléé – Organizaci – Organizacióón Latina Estudiantiln Latina Estudiantil SACNAS – Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in SACNAS – Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in

ScienceScience SHPE – Society of Hispanic Professional EngineersSHPE – Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Society of Women EngineersSociety of Women Engineers WOW – Women of Whiting – women in graduate schoolWOW – Women of Whiting – women in graduate school

Climate: Multicultural LuncheonClimate: Multicultural LuncheonWelcome back to second semester, 2005Welcome back to second semester, 2005

Sponsored by the Whiting School of EngineeringSponsored by the Whiting School of Engineering 750 guests750 guests Menu: barrah kebab, collard greens, frijoles, Chinese Menu: barrah kebab, collard greens, frijoles, Chinese

salad, Japanese salad, baklavasalad, Japanese salad, baklava ““Mishtique,” East Indian dance troupeMishtique,” East Indian dance troupe ““Ketzev,” Jewish a capella choirKetzev,” Jewish a capella choir International music played by a DJInternational music played by a DJ Diversity posters: black engineers, Hispanic engineers, Diversity posters: black engineers, Hispanic engineers,

women engineerswomen engineers

Multicultural ClimateMulticultural Climate

Annual diversity conferenceAnnual diversity conference CulturefestCulturefest Diversity film seriesDiversity film series Divisional diversity councilsDivisional diversity councils DiwaliDiwali Ghandi’s birthdayGhandi’s birthday OMSAOMSA OMSA AwardsOMSA Awards SON Diversity WeekSON Diversity Week

What about curriculum? What about curriculum? Can general curriculum Can general curriculum

reform enhance reform enhance diversity?diversity?

Margolis and Fisher’s tracking showed that problems Margolis and Fisher’s tracking showed that problems with curriculum and teaching hurt all students, but they with curriculum and teaching hurt all students, but they hurt women and minorities even morehurt women and minorities even more. Women and . Women and minorities are sometimes called the “canaries in the minorities are sometimes called the “canaries in the mine”, those obviously affected adversely by curricular mine”, those obviously affected adversely by curricular problems. problems.

The opposite is true also. Tobias says: “The strategy for The opposite is true also. Tobias says: “The strategy for increasing the persistence and success in engineering of increasing the persistence and success in engineering of women and historically under-represented minorities is to women and historically under-represented minorities is to improve the teaching-learning environment improve the teaching-learning environment for allfor all.. The The changes underway in certain engineering programs are changes underway in certain engineering programs are designed to do just that. In my opinion, women and designed to do just that. In my opinion, women and historically under-represented minorities will historically under-represented minorities will disproportionately benefit from these improvements.” disproportionately benefit from these improvements.”

CMU School of Computer Science, 1995CMU School of Computer Science, 1995

#1 in CS but only 8% female; women twice as likely to transfer.#1 in CS but only 8% female; women twice as likely to transfer. GEEKS! Young males live and breathe computers. It’s cool to be a geek. GEEKS! Young males live and breathe computers. It’s cool to be a geek.

SCS was called “sleep, code, sleep”. “If I could, I’d spend all day on the SCS was called “sleep, code, sleep”. “If I could, I’d spend all day on the computer.”computer.”

Early semesters focused on technical aspect of programming; applications and Early semesters focused on technical aspect of programming; applications and multidisciplinary projects deferred to the end; CS removed from real-world multidisciplinary projects deferred to the end; CS removed from real-world concernsconcerns

Linked interest in CS to other arenas: 44% of women, 9% of menLinked interest in CS to other arenas: 44% of women, 9% of men

Although CS is linked to medicine, environmental science, famine control, art Although CS is linked to medicine, environmental science, famine control, art and music, CS textbooks focused on technical detail, with little attention paid and music, CS textbooks focused on technical detail, with little attention paid to the application and impact of the technology in meaningful interdisciplinary to the application and impact of the technology in meaningful interdisciplinary problem-solving assignments.problem-solving assignments.

Contemporary creative computing relies on language, visual design, problem Contemporary creative computing relies on language, visual design, problem definition and organizational skills as much as on quantitative analysis.definition and organizational skills as much as on quantitative analysis.

CMU: FROM 8% WOMEN TO CMU: FROM 8% WOMEN TO 42% IN 5 YEARS!42% IN 5 YEARS!

Provided frosh with 4 different tracks Provided frosh with 4 different tracks depending on background in programming.depending on background in programming.

The new curriculum is not tightly scheduled The new curriculum is not tightly scheduled and does not have many prerequisites.and does not have many prerequisites.

New courses combine programming with real-New courses combine programming with real-world orientation.world orientation.

Admission policy – less preference to students Admission policy – less preference to students with prior programming experiencewith prior programming experience

Assign best instructors to earliest courses.Assign best instructors to earliest courses.

HOLISTIC COMPUTER COURSES HOLISTIC COMPUTER COURSES ATTRACT MANY WOMENATTRACT MANY WOMEN

Software Engineering – all 50 students become a Software Engineering – all 50 students become a software development team, which includes marketing software development team, which includes marketing and writing majors; work with outside client and writing majors; work with outside client

Wearable Computers – grads & undergrads; integrates Wearable Computers – grads & undergrads; integrates Industrial, Mechanical & Electronic Engineering and Industrial, Mechanical & Electronic Engineering and software design; work with outside clientsoftware design; work with outside client

Designing Virtual Worlds – software, scripting, Designing Virtual Worlds – software, scripting, graphical design; teams of 3 do virtual reality projects; graphical design; teams of 3 do virtual reality projects; selects students not by major but by skills and interests selects students not by major but by skills and interests

Computer Science in the Community – students work Computer Science in the Community – students work with nonprofit groups on community issueswith nonprofit groups on community issues

What’s wrong the traditional What’s wrong the traditional engineering curriculum?engineering curriculum?

Rigorous – 4 years minimum, often moreRigorous – 4 years minimum, often more Divorces fundamentals from applications, which Divorces fundamentals from applications, which

are saved till junior/senior yearare saved till junior/senior year Abstract, theoretical, impracticalAbstract, theoretical, impractical Rigid paths, prerequisites – cannot transfer in Rigid paths, prerequisites – cannot transfer in

without extra yearwithout extra year Need HS calculus & physics but…Need HS calculus & physics but… Fewer than 6% of AA/H take HS calculus & Fewer than 6% of AA/H take HS calculus &

physicsphysics

All faculty VS engineering facultyAll faculty VS engineering facultyAlexander Astin, UCLAAlexander Astin, UCLA

Extensive lecture 54% - 78%Extensive lecture 54% - 78% Discussion 70% - 45%Discussion 70% - 45% Teaching assistants 6% - 18%Teaching assistants 6% - 18% Cooperative learning 27% - 14%Cooperative learning 27% - 14% Grading on the curve 22% - 43%Grading on the curve 22% - 43% Term papers 33% - 19%Term papers 33% - 19% Essay exams 43% - 21%Essay exams 43% - 21% Student presentations 27% - 15%Student presentations 27% - 15% Goal of college: values – jobsGoal of college: values – jobs

Revised CurriculumRevised CurriculumNSF, 1993NSF, 1993

Integration of science, math, and Integration of science, math, and engineering courses = “just-in-time” engineering courses = “just-in-time” learninglearning

Hands-on projects begin in frosh yearHands-on projects begin in frosh year Collaborative learning (teams)Collaborative learning (teams) Emphasize problem-solving skillsEmphasize problem-solving skills

ABET 2000 ABET 2000 5 Technical Skills but also5 Technical Skills but also

6 6 ProfessionalProfessional SkillsSkills

an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teamsan ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams an understanding of professional and ethical an understanding of professional and ethical

responsibilityresponsibility an ability to communicate effectivelyan ability to communicate effectively the broad education necessary to understand the impact the broad education necessary to understand the impact

of engineering solutions in a global, economic, of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal contextenvironmental, and societal context

an ability to engage in lifelong learningan ability to engage in lifelong learning a knowledge of contemporary issuesa knowledge of contemporary issues

Drexel UniversityDrexel University

Team of students works with team of facultyTeam of students works with team of faculty Assignments etc are coordinated by Assignments etc are coordinated by

interdisciplinary faculty teaminterdisciplinary faculty team Applications are integrated and continuousApplications are integrated and continuous Minimum of 10 design projectsMinimum of 10 design projects Teams meet weeklyTeams meet weekly Courses are introduced “just-in-time”Courses are introduced “just-in-time” Stresses experimental methodsStresses experimental methods

TUFTS – exploring technology TUFTS – exploring technology coursescourses

Behind the Scenes (film-making engineering)Behind the Scenes (film-making engineering) Children, Technology and Society (toy Children, Technology and Society (toy

technology)technology) Earthquake EngineeringEarthquake Engineering Gourmet Engineer – heat transfer, microwaves, Gourmet Engineer – heat transfer, microwaves,

thermodynamics through cookingthermodynamics through cooking Microbrewery Engineering –includes visitsMicrobrewery Engineering –includes visits

Technology in a context from the beginning!Technology in a context from the beginning!Result: net influx INTO engineering – not out!Result: net influx INTO engineering – not out!

                                                                 

Olin CollegeOlin College business management + engineering + business management + engineering +

liberal artsliberal arts Hands-on learningHands-on learning Teams at all levelsTeams at all levels Corporate partnershipsCorporate partnerships Design projects 60%Design projects 60% No departmentsNo departments

Engineering is Engineering is beneficial to beneficial to

society.society.

“To understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, “To understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental and societal context”environmental and societal context”

““Many students leave engineering so they can Many students leave engineering so they can

benefit society” – J. Higher Ed., WECEbenefit society” – J. Higher Ed., WECE Engineering is associated with bombs, pollution, Engineering is associated with bombs, pollution,

exploiting the environment.exploiting the environment. ““Our survey of nine college algebra books with a Our survey of nine college algebra books with a

1992 copyright found 8 medical exercises and 100 1992 copyright found 8 medical exercises and 100 radioactivity exercises. Six of those 8 medical radioactivity exercises. Six of those 8 medical exercises were in one book.” - Rosserexercises were in one book.” - Rosser

But engineering helps medicine, transportation, But engineering helps medicine, transportation, communication!communication!

Minorities may perceive the establishment as Minorities may perceive the establishment as repressive, intrusive, destructive of nature.repressive, intrusive, destructive of nature.

Smith College – first all women’s Smith College – first all women’s college to offer an engineering programcollege to offer an engineering program

Socially relevant design Socially relevant design projects from frosh to senior projects from frosh to senior yearyear

Engineering = solutions to Engineering = solutions to human needshuman needs

““Designing the Future”Designing the Future”

Smith College frosh introduction to Smith College frosh introduction to engineering engineering

Goal of project = teach kids about Goal of project = teach kids about technology with toystechnology with toys

Smith frosh work with middle-school Smith frosh work with middle-school girls to produce gender-neutral toys – no girls to produce gender-neutral toys – no guns or GI Joeguns or GI Joe

Toys must teach something about Toys must teach something about science.science.

Smith College ToyTechSmith College ToyTech Sun Suds – alternative energy & chemistry Sun Suds – alternative energy & chemistry

of bubblesof bubbles Mag’neat-o’blocks – electricity & Mag’neat-o’blocks – electricity &

magnetismmagnetism Hover Coaster – kinetic energy (roller Hover Coaster – kinetic energy (roller

coaster cars levitate magnetically)coaster cars levitate magnetically) Elevator game – pulleysElevator game – pulleys Bright Idea – perform experiments in order Bright Idea – perform experiments in order

to reach the top of a pyramidto reach the top of a pyramid

Engineering and DisabilitiesEngineering and Disabilities ME majors at JHU worked with Volunteers for Medical ME majors at JHU worked with Volunteers for Medical

Engineering to design and assemble a computer-guided Engineering to design and assemble a computer-guided pill-dispensing machine that is enabling a quadriplegic pill-dispensing machine that is enabling a quadriplegic person to lead a more independent life. Students reported person to lead a more independent life. Students reported that the project integrated electronics, mechanics, that the project integrated electronics, mechanics, ergonomics, computer programming and business ergonomics, computer programming and business administration in a real-world setting.administration in a real-world setting.

The US Military Academy formed a partnership with The US Military Academy formed a partnership with Special People in the Northeast. Cadets majoring in Special People in the Northeast. Cadets majoring in mechanical engineering were assigned a senior year team mechanical engineering were assigned a senior year team project: to design and construct a ticket-tearing device for project: to design and construct a ticket-tearing device for a man with cerebral palsy. The cadets’ device enabled him a man with cerebral palsy. The cadets’ device enabled him to increase his working hours, and enabled the cadets to to increase his working hours, and enabled the cadets to grow as engineers and as individuals.grow as engineers and as individuals.

More Social RelevanceMore Social Relevance University of Notre Dame has a Research Experience University of Notre Dame has a Research Experience

for Undergraduates on water resources in developing for Undergraduates on water resources in developing countries with practica in Benin, Haiti and Honduras. countries with practica in Benin, Haiti and Honduras. Nine out of ten participants the first summer were Nine out of ten participants the first summer were women, despite physical hardships and lifting women, despite physical hardships and lifting requirements (similar ratio in subsequent years).requirements (similar ratio in subsequent years).

Colorado School of Mines has a program in Colorado School of Mines has a program in Humanitarian Engineering, with projects in Africa, Humanitarian Engineering, with projects in Africa, Asia and South America, funded by the Hewlett Asia and South America, funded by the Hewlett Foundation. Foundation.

JHU now has an active chapter of “Engineers JHU now has an active chapter of “Engineers without Borders”. Faculty adviser is Professor Bill without Borders”. Faculty adviser is Professor Bill Ball, Dept of Environmental Engineering. In 2006, Ball, Dept of Environmental Engineering. In 2006, Prof. Ball took students to South Africa.Prof. Ball took students to South Africa.

Village women carried water from streams to their gardens in Village women carried water from streams to their gardens in plastic buckets balanced on their heads. Twice a day, they plastic buckets balanced on their heads. Twice a day, they went the length of a football field and back, balancing the 70-went the length of a football field and back, balancing the 70-pound weights on their heads. An aqueduct would require pound weights on their heads. An aqueduct would require expensive materials. The JHU students built "ram pumps," expensive materials. The JHU students built "ram pumps," which use the force of flowing water, a valve, and a rubber seal which use the force of flowing water, a valve, and a rubber seal to ratchet water uphill. The materials were cheap, and the to ratchet water uphill. The materials were cheap, and the pumps deliver 1.6 gallons a minute, 24 hours/day.pumps deliver 1.6 gallons a minute, 24 hours/day.

Two 5000 L storage tanks were installed atop the garden. The Two 5000 L storage tanks were installed atop the garden. The ram pump carries water from the river to these storage tanks. ram pump carries water from the river to these storage tanks. Water is now accessible by hoses attached to tanks and at taps Water is now accessible by hoses attached to tanks and at taps installed throughout the garden.installed throughout the garden.

Engineering/Science is also Engineering/Science is also beneficial and relevant to the beneficial and relevant to the

minority subcultures.minority subcultures.

Minority students must see that Minority students must see that engineering is practical in their engineering is practical in their

world and beneficial to world and beneficial to theirtheir community.community.

Example: Noticing that few black students at her Example: Noticing that few black students at her college took geology…college took geology…

Barbara Tewksbury (Hamilton College) designedBarbara Tewksbury (Hamilton College) designed

GEOLOGY AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF GEOLOGY AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN AFRICAMODERN AFRICA

Hands-on investigationHands-on investigation Group learningGroup learning Peer teachingPeer teaching No prerequisitesNo prerequisites Credit for geology or AfricanaCredit for geology or Africana

Connecting Geology with Connecting Geology with HistoryHistory

Nile River floodingNile River flooding

Sahara: fossils and Sahara: fossils and paleoclimatepaleoclimate

Origin of mineral Origin of mineral deposits (gold and deposits (gold and diamonds)diamonds)

Sediment sequencesSediment sequences

Unification of ancient Unification of ancient EgyptEgypt

Geology can predict Geology can predict greenhouse effectgreenhouse effect

Origin of black Origin of black oppression in South oppression in South AfricaAfrica

Hominid remainsHominid remains

ResultsResults The course attracted many black students.The course attracted many black students. Several volunteered to help revise it and Several volunteered to help revise it and

help teach it.help teach it. Several went on to take more geology Several went on to take more geology

courses.courses. One declared a geology major.One declared a geology major. Their favorite part was the most rigorous Their favorite part was the most rigorous

part!part!

DinDinéé College Collegeenvironmental engineeringenvironmental engineering

Navajo cultureNavajo culture LanguageLanguage Native views of science + mainstream Native views of science + mainstream

viewsviews Navajo case studiesNavajo case studies Field trips – local environmentField trips – local environment

THE SCIENCE/ENGINEERING THE SCIENCE/ENGINEERING CURRICULUM MUST BE CURRICULUM MUST BE

CULTURALLY INCLUSIVE. CULTURALLY INCLUSIVE.

Women and minority students must Women and minority students must feel that they feel that they belongbelong in in

engineering.engineering.

Traditional TextbooksTraditional Textbooks White male biasWhite male bias Minorities may appear in illustrations but be absent from textMinorities may appear in illustrations but be absent from text Some books do not include contributions from minority Some books do not include contributions from minority

scientists.scientists. Some books describe their work but do not give them credit Some books describe their work but do not give them credit

(Lehman, Rubin).(Lehman, Rubin). Some books overlook minority topics such as lupus, sickle cell Some books overlook minority topics such as lupus, sickle cell

anemiaanemia But biographical sketches of women and minority But biographical sketches of women and minority

scientists in introductory physics appear to change scientists in introductory physics appear to change student perceptions of science as a strictly male student perceptions of science as a strictly male endeavor - Marshall and Dorward, Utah State endeavor - Marshall and Dorward, Utah State University, 1997University, 1997

There are numerous interesting examples of There are numerous interesting examples of women and minority scientists and engineers. women and minority scientists and engineers.

Sandra BegaySandra Begay Marie CurieMarie Curie Amelia EarhartAmelia Earhart Jane GoodallJane Goodall Marjorie JoynerMarjorie Joyner Mary RossMary Ross Ellen Richards Ellen Richards

SwallowSwallow Mme WalkerMme Walker

Ben CarsonBen Carson George Washington George Washington

CarverCarver John HerringtonJohn Herrington Ernest JustErnest Just Lewis LatimerLewis Latimer Elijah McCoyElijah McCoy Jim WestJim West Daniel WilliamsDaniel Williams

New Dimensions in Science – New Ways of Knowing: New Dimensions in Science – New Ways of Knowing: Ellen Richards SwallowEllen Richards Swallow

Originally a home economist who wrote about the Originally a home economist who wrote about the sanitation of the home and nutritious school sanitation of the home and nutritious school lunches – topics which were of little concern to lunches – topics which were of little concern to scientists. But her interest in clean homes led to scientists. But her interest in clean homes led to study of sanitary water, sanitary soil and sanitary study of sanitary water, sanitary soil and sanitary air. In 1887, she conducted an extensive survey of air. In 1887, she conducted an extensive survey of the quality of the inland bodies of water of the quality of the inland bodies of water of Massachusetts, many of which were already Massachusetts, many of which were already polluted with industrial waste and municipal polluted with industrial waste and municipal sewage. The scale of the survey was sewage. The scale of the survey was unprecedented and led to the first state water-unprecedented and led to the first state water-quality standards in the nation and the first modern quality standards in the nation and the first modern municipal sewage treatment plant, in Lowell, municipal sewage treatment plant, in Lowell, Massachusetts. Because of the prevailing scientific Massachusetts. Because of the prevailing scientific and gender norms, it is very unlikely that a male and gender norms, it is very unlikely that a male scientist would have developed methods to insure scientist would have developed methods to insure purity for the home and then extend them to the purity for the home and then extend them to the surrounding outdoor environment. Swallow thus surrounding outdoor environment. Swallow thus brought a new perspective to science. Though she brought a new perspective to science. Though she is now honored as a pioneer in environmental is now honored as a pioneer in environmental engineering and industrial ecology, she was engineering and industrial ecology, she was dismissed from MIT. Her curriculum was dismissed from MIT. Her curriculum was regarded as too interdisciplinary…it did not fit regarded as too interdisciplinary…it did not fit neatly into the established scientific categories. neatly into the established scientific categories. She became known not for sanitary chemistry, but She became known not for sanitary chemistry, but as the “mother of home economics”as the “mother of home economics”

““The standpoint determines the reality The standpoint determines the reality seen by the observer. Elimination of seen by the observer. Elimination of

some bias can be achieved by attracting some bias can be achieved by attracting as many individuals from as diverse as many individuals from as diverse backgrounds as possible to become backgrounds as possible to become scientists and engineers. No one scientists and engineers. No one

individual would have an unbiased view individual would have an unbiased view but diversity within the group of but diversity within the group of

scientists and engineers might lead to a scientists and engineers might lead to a less biased world view.” –Sue Rosser, less biased world view.” –Sue Rosser,

biologistbiologist