About Us

Press Room

Media Contact: David Perry, (415) 864-6397
cel: (415) 412-2496
news@davidperry.com

Chabot Space & Science Center Receives Grant to Encourage Girls in Technology

(Oakland, CA, August 1, 2000) — Chabot Space and Science Center (CSSC) in Oakland has announced a $898,599 grant from the National Science Foundation to support Techbridge, a three-year multifaceted program designed to enhance girls' interest and skills in technology. CSSC will collaborate with Oakland Unified School District, California State University, Hayward, Mills College, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Community Resources for Science to encourage girls to pursue academic and career options in technology, and contribute much needed research regarding gender, culture, and technology.

This model program takes an innovative approach to engage teachers, counselors, families, role models, and peer support networks in keeping girls involved and motivated in technology. In programs hosted before and after school, girls will be introduced to various applications of technology as they work on projects based on their interests. The program will offer girls opportunities to explore the Internet, design websites, and learn various applications of technology. 

"Image is important to adolescent girls and we will introduce girls to role models who will help dispel the 'geek' stereotypes related to technology," commented Etta Heber, Director of Media and Technology at CSSC. "These female professionals will give our girls a more realistic sense of the technology work environment and help them visualize the wide range of jobs that require skills in technology." Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Microsoft, and NEC will provide role models. Oakland-based Community Resources for Science will help train role models for the program and also help plan field trips to job sites to ensure that the experiences are stimulating for girls and manageable for role models.

Techbridge will operate at six middle schools (Edna Brewer, Frick, Bret Harte, Montera, Calvin Simmons, and John Swett) and four high schools (Fremont, Oakland Technical, McClymonds, and Skyline) in Oakland Unified School District. "The program will serve as a bridge, supporting girls' involvement in technology as they make the transition from middle school to high school. This age is a critical period when computer usage and confidence decline in many girls," said Linda Kekelis, project director. "In focus groups girls told us that although their prior experience with informal technology programs has been limited, they are excited with the ideas we have for Techbridge and are eager to join."

"We are especially excited about the opportunities for professional development that Techbridge affords the school district," said Yolanda Peeks, Co-Principal Investigator and Executive Director of the Leadership Academy at OUSD. Teachers will receive training and support needed to integrate technology into the curriculum. They will also be provided time to network and learn from one another how to address the motivational factors that limit girls' participation in technology." Techbridge will also include training and support for counselors who will advise girls and their families of academic and career paths in technology.

Under the direction of Lynn Phillips, author of the Girls Report and nationally known expert on girls' development, a subset of girls in Techbridge will participate in a three-year study. This research will look at how gender and culture influence girls' experiences with and access to technology. Findings will help facilities like CSSC better serve different groups of girls and their families.

Originally created for the Oakland school system in 1883, Chabot Space and Science Center has a distinguished history as the first public observatory in the western U.S. and as the provider of highly regarded educational and community programs in astronomy for over 115 years. Chabot Space and Science Center is an innovative teaching and learning center focusing on astronomy and the inter-relationships of all the sciences. Its observatory, planetarium, exhibits, and natural park setting are a place where a diverse population of students, teachers, and the public can imagine, understand, and learn to shape their future through science. 

###