An evaluation of the Summer Technology and Engineering Preview at Stout for Girls (STEPS) effectiveness at the University of Wisconsin-Stout

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of STEPS participation on short-term outcome attainment. Specifically, this study examined and compared the 1997 STEPS campers and the remaining cohorts from 1997 that did not attend. A thorough examination of variables was conducted to complete a comprehensive assessment of STEPS effectiveness on short-term outcome attainment. To gather information a survey was developed and administered to 48 young women; 29 alumni and 19 controls. Each of these young women were a participant of the 1997 Summer Technology and Engineering Preview Camp (STEPS) (alumni) or an applicant to the camp (control). The average age for this study’s participants’ is 15.37, with the mean age of 15.27 years old for the alumni’s and 15.47 years old for the controls. Constructs encompassed within this study include academic ability, academic achievement, elective course enrollment, extracurricular activity involvement, career interests and role expectations. All constructs examined are reflective of the barriers that exist for women today and engineering careers. Two findings within this study were found to be consistent with STEPS goals. A correlational relationship was found significant between accelerated science course enrollment and a career interest in engineering for the control group but not the alumni group. This finding suggests that ex-campers do not need to be enrolled in accelerated courses to be interested in engineering, but that controls do. An additional finding supportive of STEPS was identified in within the MANOVA, suggesting that the alumni enroll in more science, math and technology courses than do the control group. Both findings demonstrate that STEPS alleviates barriers, therefore increasing the exposure of these young women to the field of engineering.