Impact assessment of a women-in-science program on Early Childhood Education children.

Abstract

The present paper focuses on the impact of the coeducational program INFACIENCIA on 3-to-6 years old children. The aim is to make some women scientists’ biographies visible, so that young girls are offered role models to guide them in their future vocational choice. Data consists of drawings (322) and drawing-interviews (176), which have been analyzed both in content and discourse. These are the main findings: (1) the program is effective, as children improve their knowledge and mental representations about women scientists; (2) 4 and 5 year-old are aware of and condemn direct discrimination towards women in science; (3) there are gender-based differences in motivations and intellectual attributions when it comes to choose science as a future professional career. While young girls see themselves, in most cases, as devoting themselves to humanitarian endeavors, young boys refer to power and social recognition.