The gender imbalance in computer science (CS) is one of the most challenging issues in American education. CS is the only science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field in which women's representation has steadily declined in recent decades. In this study, we explored one potential approach that could be effective in increasing…

Today we are faced with a shortage of qualified candidates for the growing computer science occupations that are among the fastest growing fields in our nation. A current shortage of students in the educational pipeline coupled with a lack of diversity in the field is impacting our technological growth and expansion. It has been suggested that it…

This paper examines gender inequality within the context of an upper-level high school engineering course recently offered in Texas. Data was collected from six high schools that serve students from a variety of backgrounds. Among the almost two hundred students who enrolled in this challenge-based engineering course, females constituted a clear…

In the UK, women remain under-represented in engineering and technology (E&T). Research has, therefore, investigated barriers and solutions to women's recruitment, retention and progression. Recruitment into the sector may be supported by exploring the career decisions of women and men who have chosen to study E&T. Triangulating…

A study comparing the commitment to social change of college students in 1978 and 1988 is presented, focusing on those issues that directly affect black students. The responses of 541 incoming freshmen attending the 1988 orientation program at the University of Maryland, College Park, were compared to those of 1,091 freshmen who attended the…

A project assessed progress made in eliminating sex bias, stereotyping, and discrimination in vocational education as reported by graduates who had prepared for and entered nontraditional careers. A literature search on sex bias and stereotyping in education was conducted to assist in development of the survey instrument administered to graduates.…

The Career Aspiration Profile was used to study barriers to the entrance of both men and women into nontraditional careers. Responses were solicited to items dealing with career choice; focus was on those factors perceived as barriers to entrance into nontraditional careers. Respondents were 1350 high school seniors and students from two- and…

This model has been designed for use by Missouri secondary schools in attracting females and males into nontraditional occupational programs. The research-based strategies are intended for implementation in the following areas: attracting females into building trades, electronics, machine shop, and welding; and males into secondary health…

The two two-page briefs in this packet focus on nontraditional careers and nontraditional students and how to recruit and teach nontraditional students. "What Do We Know about Nontraditional Careers?" notes that men and women still tend to work in careers that are traditional for their sex, although the numbers of men and women choosing…