the fabfems project a cyberlearning community to connect females in the stem pipeline

The FabFems Project

A cyberlearning community to connect females in the STEM

pipeline

Welcome

Major Activities• Role model database• Cyberlearning platform• Program implementation via NGCP Collaboratives

Partners• National Girls Collaborative Project, EdLab Group• Platform Shoes Forum/dba Zoey’s Room• Smith College Summer Science and Engineering

ProgramFunded by The Motorola Foundation, Innovation Generation grant

Project Overview

Agenda

• Introduction and Overview• Platform Tools Tour• Project Benefits and Evaluation• Questions and Answers

FabFems.org

FabFems Profile

Platform Tools - zoeysroom.orgZoey’s Room ZR Portal

Tec Treks

Zoeysroom.org Tutorial

Benefits for Girls

• Connections to FabFems• Virtual peer group and FabFems

communication• Safe, moderated space• Post and blog on message board• Participate in STEM-centric challenges via

Tec-Treks

Science• 60% knew the definition of a “nanosponge.” • 58% knew the definition of “bunny suit” in terms of what scientists wear in lab rooms.• 65% knew the difference between toxic/not toxic chemical household products to the

environment.Technology•65% could identify a jpeg photo.•54% knew that DSL was the fastest mode of connection.•89% knew the correct definition of  “www”.•71% knew the correct way to upload a digital image to a computer. Engineering•87% knew the definition of a robot.•70% knew what function robot sensors carry out.•70% knew what kind of tasks robots can perform that humans can’t.  Math•89% knew the difference between short-term and long-term savings.•41% knew the correct formula for a person’s net worth (46% got it wrong).

Benchmark and Final Survey(100 members sampled)

• Access to online tools• Training and support for role model

resources• Build your network and contacts• Corporate connections• Quality program content

Benefits for Programs and Collaboratives

• Outreach• Soft skills practice• Community of STEM professionals• Opportunity to give back• Corporate employee engagement and

satisfaction

Benefits for FabFems

The FabFems Project Evaluation• Purpose – investigate implementation and

impact over two years of funding• Measuring outcomes

• Deliverables (websites, directory, curriculum)• FabFems• Girls

• Data collection• Surveys, observation, interviews, metrics

Contact and Support

General Questions: info@fabfems.org

Grant Support: Laura Enman, Program Manager, EdLab Group lenman@edlabgroup.org

Zoey’s Room Support: Kaley Stephens, Content Manager Liaison, Platform Shoes Forum

psfprogram@gmail.com

Questions?