Objective
The project consortium has created a unique developmental approach for technology education: Compared to many other projects that have tried to involve girls in technology, the UPDATE approach includes a strong focus on early childhood and primary education, phases in which the attitudes are often formed. From this understanding, it is far too late to start to try rising the girls' interest at only at secondary or later stages. We are convinced that with new, improved technology education practices it is possible to make science and technology more attractive for young people, promote their interest, and encourage their critical ways of thinking. Several studies conducted by the EU (e.g. Eurostat 2004, Implementation of education & training 2010 work programme) demonstrate that women and girls are continuously dramatically underrepresented in science and technological education, areas, and jobs.
This is highlighted in the Joint Interim Report Education and Training 2010 by the European Commission under domain of Maths, Science and Technology (MST). In particular, action was recommended in order to motivate young people, especially girls, to undertake scientific and technical studies and careers. Even in countries where gender imbalance is not a problem in the areas of mathematics and science, there is a marked imbalance when technology subjects are taken into account. Technology, where the science is put into action, is an area where the gender imbalance culminates, and therefore the focus of the UPDATE project.
The UPDATE projects aim is threefold:
1) to examine why girls drop out from technology education at different stages of their education,
2) to create new ways and educational methods to make the image of technology and technological careers more attractive for both boys and girls, and
3) to promote, encourage and mobilise especially girls and young women for engineering and technology both as a career, and as active users of modern technology.
Call for proposal
FP6-2005-SCIENCE-AND-SOCIETY-16
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
SSA - Specific Support ActionCoordinator
UNIVERSITY OF JYVSKYLA
Finland