While ecologists need and wish to understand the impacts of their research on society, there are no clearinghouses to which ecologists can turn for relevant information. We will create an Internet-based Information Clearinghouse providing scientists, educators, and students with bibliographies and links to other web sites important for understanding science and society. We will also conduct a workshop at national science meeting order to stimulate discussion and to exchange learning and teaching resources. While the World Wide Web has effected our culture as a whole, not many consider the profound changes that it has engendered for conceptions of self, notions of an emerging world community and the interdisciplinary arts. There is a growing gap in technology-related fields.
Girls make up only a small percentage of students in computer classes and technology-related fields.
This project would establish a pilot summer experience for young women from local schools, in which they investigate technology through creative applications of computer-generated animation and web technologies. To influence the impact of technology on society by increasing the participation of girls at an early point in their lives and inspire them to consider career choices in technology is paramount to this experience. This project involves the close collaboration of Susan Olesik, Professor of Chemistry at The Ohio State University, the entire faculty of the Chapman Elementary School in Dublin and volunteers including selected parents of Chapman Elementary students and O.S.U. science students. A series of science workshops will be offered at the school by Olesik before the actual school day begins. Training sessions with volunteers will accompany the teachers' workshop.