Students praise women in science

Saturday symposium focuses on under-represented groups in math and sciences

It's not hard to see that women are under-represented in the sciences. The women who make it there often feel that they don't have the support they'd like to have from both their male and female colleagues.

Junior Paulette Cha and sophomore Ellen Ko saw this too. As a Baldwin Cottage program, Cha and Ko created the Women in Science and Math Symposium.

The symposium will stress the visibility of women in science and math. Ko and Cha said they hope this might bring more of their issues into the open.

"We want to raise awareness. Not only women are affected by their exclusion in math and science, but everyone. We all miss out on the contributions women could give us when they don't feel encouraged to remain in these fields," Cha said.

The speakers and discussion at the symposium will also focus on which factors contribute to the gender bias against women and ways to alleviate the problems.

"We hope this will encourage the women in these fields to have more communication and support each other," Ko said.

The program takes place Saturday in Wilder 101, and begins with a keynote address by Sethanne Howard, an astronomer from the National Science Foundation.

"We are very enthusiastic that we were able to get her to come," Ko said. "She will be speaking on '4000 Years of Women in Science.'"

The keynote speaker will then be followed by three students and a faculty member from various science and math departments in the College.

"There will be a reception afterwards in Baldwin. It will be more informal and give people a chance to discuss various issues," said Cha.

Ko and Cha said they think that many people will come.

"Even men have approached me to ask about it," Cha said. "This should be extremely interesting."

Great minds think alike: The student-organized Women in Science Symposium begins Saturday. A speaker will emphasize women's importance in this department. (photo by James Cochran)