"The goal of the Web site, first and foremost, is to create a space that middle-schoolers, especially girls, would enjoy," says Luehmann. "We worked to intrigue, inform, and inspire our young target audience."
The site, iWASwondering.org, features profiles of contemporary women scientists, exciting games, handy facts, and inspiration. Visitors are led on a journey to discover that being a scientist is as much about personality, background, interests, and passion as academics. The site draws from and accompanies the publication of a 10-volume series of biographies for middle-school readers titled Women's Adventures in Science, which is copublished by the Joseph Henry Press (an imprint of the National Academies Press) and Scholastic Library Publishing.
Lia, the animated character who introduces iWASwondering.org, "lures you in, and before you know it, you're engrossed in learning about our fascinating world through the eyes and work of these women scientists," adds Luehmann.
Two Warner School doctoral students, Laura Farra and Sarah Hurley, also contributed to the project as science education developers. The site has attracted about 18,500 hits from around the world in its first two months. To get reaction before the Web pages were finalized, the site was tested in Rochester and a few other cities. Luehmann, who was director of science education on the Web project, and her graduate students did advance work with students at Rochester's School 23 and Twelve Corners Middle School in Brighton.
Jennifer Terwilliger, a science teacher at Twelve Corners, found the content excellent for that age group and the site easy to navigate.
"My students especially liked the game that searched the galaxy for different planets, moons, and other heavenly bodies," she remembers from last year's test.
"I think it's great that the entire Web site focuses on contributions of female scientists," she says. "So often in science, the kids learn of the contributions that men have made. It is especially important for girls to see that many women have careers in the sciences and have had a significant impact on what we know and can do today."
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Science educator lends hand to Web project for girls
Luehmann
or years, U.S. research has shown that as girls grow older, they lose interest in math and science in school. A Web project by the National Academy of Sciences is hoping to address that problem, and to do so, the group sought the expertise of April Lynn Luehmann, assistant professor at the Warner School. Drawing from her experiences working with middle-school girls, Luehmann advised the National Academy on design and content that would entice those students, help them get the most out of classroom and home activities, and give their parents and teachers a resource.
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