Contact: Amy Gilliam

The Girls in Science program includes a week-long summer camp at UK for two consecutive years. The Girls in Research program also includes a week-long summer camp at UK, but is for three consecutive years. Each program requires five Saturday academies throughout the school year at participants’ local community colleges. The girls will also receive mentoring from UK and community leaders.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 5, 2004) -- The University of Kentucky is recruiting teachers and students in southeastern Kentucky for two innovative education programs, Girls in Science and Girls in Research.

Several years ago, UK was awarded a grant from the National Institutes of Health to study ways young women can be supported and encouraged to pursue careers in research, specifically drug and alcohol research. The Young Women in Science program, designed for girls in high school, enjoyed great success.

Experience with the Young Women in Science program convinced UK leaders to create a similar program last year for girls in middle school. Funded through the National Science Foundation, Girls in Science encouraged girls entering seventh grade to pursue careers in science, math, engineering and technology.

When that program proved successful as well last year, UK created a new curriculum for even younger girls who are interested in science and math. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, this newest program, called Girls in Research, is designed for girls entering sixth grade.

“In the fourth grade, the number of girls and boys who like math and science is about the same,” said Caroline Reid, project director for Girls in Science at UK. “But by eighth grade, twice as many boys as girls show an interest in these subjects.” Reid added that the programs want to reach girls early on before their self-confidence and interest in math and science begins to decline.

The Girls in Science program includes a week-long summer camp at UK for two consecutive years. The Girls in Research program also includes a week-long summer camp at UK, but is for three consecutive years. Each program requires five Saturday academies throughout the school year at participants’ local community colleges. The girls will also receive mentoring from UK and community leaders.

Girls from the following counties are being recruited for the two programs: Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Rockcastle, Whitley and Wolfe.

All expenses will be paid. Each participant will be given a $100 stipend upon completion of each summer session and a $1,000 stipend upon completion of the two- or three-year program to be used for the college of her choice.

“We are excited to be able to offer these exceptional programs to young girls to encourage them to be anything they want to be,” said Reid.

Teachers are also asked to join in this effort. Participating teachers will attend two-day summer workshops at UK to help create Girls in Science and Girls in Research clubs in their local schools. Again, all expenses will be paid. Teachers will be given a $300 stipend for their summer involvement and $500 to assist in creating the clubs.

The Girls in Science program seeks girls entering the seventh grade in fall 2004. Teachers for this program should be seventh or eighth grade math or science teachers and have previous instruction of at least two math, science or technology courses at the middle school level. Those interested in the Girls in Science program are encouraged to visit the Web site.

For more information on either program, call (859) 257-4401 or send e-mail.