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Science in Cyberspace: Science and Engineering World Wide Web Sites for Girls

Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, Western Michigan University, 218 Sprau Tower, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5092, fax: +1 269 387 3990steinke{at}wmich.edu

In the absence of real-life role models, images of women scientists and engineers on the World Wide Web can be important sources of information about women in science, engineering, and technology. This study analyzed the content of 27 science and engineering Web sites for girls and examined recurring themes in 168 of the biographies of women scientists and engineers found on these sites. Most of the Web sites included information about scientific, engineering, and technological disciplines and presented occupational information—information shown to be important for increasing girls’ interest in these areas. The biographies of women scientists and engineers found on these Web sites addressed issues concerning parental attitudes, acceptance by male colleagues, and family-friendly policies in workplaces— issues shown to be related to girls’ future interest in careers in science, engineering, and technology. By providing detailed information about the experiences and personal lives of women scientists and engineers, the biographies on these Web sites may be useful in countering existing cultural stereotypes of women scientists and engineers and initiating changes in perceptions needed to narrow the gender gap in science, engineering, and technology.

Public Understanding of Science, Vol. 13, No. 1, 7-30 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/0963662504042691


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