Access and equity

Girls and young women

Historically, girls and young women have had fewer opportunities to participate in and benefit from deep science and engineering learning. To help combat this issue, Amplify Science aids teachers in positioning girls and young women as powerful science and engineering learners. For instance, teachers can consciously leverage the many paired, small group, and class discussions that are embedded in the curriculum to be opportunities to ensure access and equity. To do so, teachers can deliberately call on girls and young women to offer ideas during class discussions at least as often as boys and young men, and to provide them with positive feedback and encouragement when they do. Teachers can also be mindful that girls get an equal opportunity to take on leadership roles when activities call for small groups to assume roles. within their small groups. Furthermore, when these groups are asked to have a spokesperson present and discuss the group’s ideas with the whole class, teachers can take heed that the girls in the class are equitably represented.