Connecting Girls and Science: Constructivism, Feminism, and Science Education Reform

Connecting Girls and Science shows readers the powerful results that can occur in secondary science classrooms when students' interest and curiosity about science are brought firmly to the center of the curriculum. In particular, author Elaine Howes demonstrates how girls can become more interested in learning science when topics such as pregnancy, childbirth, or sexism in science are included in classroom discussions. By listening to the concerns and interests of the students and using their input to help fashion a responsive science curriculum, Howes shows us how to reconnect students to science. Furthermore, if topics of particular interest to female students are stressed, Howes believes that it is not only possible to inspire girls to love science, but also to eradicate traditional gender divisions that may keep female students from pursuing careers in science.