The Math Options Program at Penn State Erie was modeled after Penn State’s Abington (Philadelphia) campus, which began there in 1991 under the corporate sponsorship of Bell of Pennsylvania in consultation with the Philadelphia Chapter of Women and Mathematics. The program as expanded across the state of Pennsylvania to many other Penn State locations and now serves over 1500 girls annually. The goal of Math Options is important, as it addresses a problem recognized by a growing number of educators and mentors: young girls need role models and special kinds of encouragement if they are to pursue careers that require a foundation in mathematics.

Research indicates that students in the United States are not competitive with students in other countries, especially in the areas of mathematics and science (National Commission on Excellence in Education, 1983; Task Force on Education for Economic Growth, `983; Travers, K.J., McKnight, CC, 1985). Compounding this problem, Workforce 2000 (Johnson, W.B., Packer, A.E., 1987) predicts that the United States will need an additional 500,000 scientists and engineers to remain competitive in the next century. If current demographic trends continue, a majority of the new entrants in this workforce will be women and minorities who traditionally have not pursued careers in science or engineering. It is imperative that we nurture and develop students’ interests and achievement in science and mathematics if we are going to address the nation’s need for expertise in the scientific, engineering, and technological fields.

Unfortunately, women are frequently "locked out" of many career options because of an early decision not to study science and mathematics. The American Association of University Women (AAUW), in Shortchanging Girls, Shortchanging America, documents a loss of self-esteem in girls that is reflected in a declining interest in mathematics and science as they progress through the secondary grades. It is necessary to introduce girls to the opportunities and incentives for pursuing careers in mathematics, science, engineering, and technology; for without their participation, "America will be competing with only half its team on the field." (AAUW, 1991). In How Schools Shortchange Girls, the AAUW further recommends that "educational institutions, professional organizations, and the business community work…together to dispel myths about math and science as ‘inappropriate’ fields for women,….by showcasing women role models in scientific and technological fields, disseminating career information, and offering "hands-on" experiences…"(AAUW, 1992).

The Math Options Program responds to this challenge. It is a career awareness program for 7^th and 8^th grade girls highlighting opportunities in these fields. The program brings together young women from 4 different counties surrounding the Penn State Erie campus, Penn State Erie faculty and staff, and professional women from government agencies, businesses, and industries for a yearly one-day event of workshops, career fair, and discussions.

Math Options is guided by the Math Options Advisory Committee, made up of Penn State women faculty and women representatives from the community. They meet every other month to advise, plan and participate in Math Options activities, and serve as volunteers and mentors for all program participants. Our Math Options Day, held each year in the month of May, beginning in 1997, features an activity-filled day which includes:

• A group contest conducted upon the students’ arrival, and has included the building

• A keynote panel presentation made up of women who are outstanding in their

• Workshops held throughout the day on the topics of science, engineering,

• Workshop presenters serve as role models and mentors throughout the day, providing

• A career fair is held during the lunch hour. Approximately twenty-five exhibitors from area manufacturing companies, industries, businesses, and organizations display

• Each student receives a "goodie-bag" as they leave (after completion of an evaluation

Because we have received so much community and university support for our annual Math Options Program in attendance, participation and financially, the Math Options Committee made a recommendation to expand our programming to include a math and science summer camp. In July of 1999, Penn State Erie, in partnership with the local Girl Scouts, will host its first annual summer math and science camp for girls ages 11-15. This three-day overnight camp will provide project-type activities designed to build on the skills and interests gleaned from the Math Options Career Day, as well as math games, contests, and recreational activities. It will also provide opportunity for young women to experience the college environment, and to see engineering, computer, psychology and science labs, and interact with university staff and students.

• Provision of teacher workshops designed to give teachers information that will benefit their everyday classroom interaction with girls and encourage a broad exploration of career options. Workshops will be conducted by Penn State faculty from the Department of Psychology, using research data and studies.

Topics will include:

• How society, culture, peers and the media help to shape our gender roles;
• How can strict notions of gender roles stifle individual career choices;

• Why girls get better grades but express less confidence in some subjects, especially in mathematics;

• Why do fewer women go into engineering and technology fields;

• Why are teachers so important in adolescent development;

• How teachers can use the internet to provide contact with professionals in the fields who can act as role models and resources.

Offering a weekend Math Options conference-type event each year in addition to the annual career day for girls 6^th through 10^th grade which will include parents. Special programming will be provided for parents. The addition of this event will allow for more student involvement, and will give us opportunity to address parents on the issue.

We have developed a short-term evaluation process for the Math Options Program; however, we have established a goal to conduct long-term assessment in order to track student participants on the relevance of Math Options participation to middle and high school math and science study choices, as well as the importance of role modeling and peer mentoring.

Our short-term program assessments have been very valuable and effective in our program planning each year. Each year’s program has seen improvement in terms of workshop development, community participation, logistical methods, and awareness by the University on program goals and objectives. Now we need to move to the next level: assessing the long-term impact of our program.

We are very fortunate to have broad community support and positive recognition of our Math Options Program, especially from educators who have asked us to increase our programming even further to involve more students, parents, and teachers. It is my hope that the NSF sponsored workshop will be a forum that will provide information on other nation-wide programs that are offered on this subject, and that I, as Program Coordinator, will learn how to develop an effective long-term assessment plan.

I, in turn, will be able to provide information on our own programming here at Penn State, what works, what has not, and to share information on how we have involved our community in this project.