Author: Patrícia Figueiró— Spinelli
Affiliation: Museu de Astronomia e Ciencias Afins (MAST) / Museum of Astronomy and Related Sciences
Country: Brazil
Co-Author(s): Sandra Benitez-Herrera
Affiliation: Instituto de Astrof’sica de Canarias (IAC) / Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands
Country: Spain
Claudia S‡ Rego Matos
Affiliation: Museu de Astronomia e Ciencias Afins (MAST) / Museum of Astronomy and Related Sciences
Country: Brazil
Ana Paula Germano
Affiliation: Instituto Federal de Educaçao, Ciencia e Tecnologia de Santa Catarina (IF-SC) / Federal Institute of Education in Santa Catarina State
Country: Brazil
Title: Girls in the Museum – Pursuing gender equity in Astronomy
Gender imbalance in the sciences is a problem that affects society as a whole. Attracting more women to science and, consequently, to astronomy is a matter of fairness and a question of welcoming 50% of the intellectual capacity of humankind. As institutions, science museums have the mission of expanding societyÕs access to scientific knowledge and encouraging the excitement of discovery. Further, they must also engage diverse audiences and address the many facets of inclusion. Therefore, it is fundamental to reflect on gender issues and adapt the content of exhibits and activities to be inclusive. The Museum of Astronomy and Related Sciences in Brazil (MAST) has long been aware of its potential to promote social change and empowerment. Since 2015, MAST promotes a series of events to stimulate discussion, acknowledge the contribution of female researchers to progress as well as encourage girls to explore scientific career paths through astronomy activities. All initiatives are built on theoretical perspectives of social inclusion, gender in sciences and informal science education. For example, the GirlsÕ Day event occurs every year and has reached 700 participants. Adventures in the Museum was an activity in which 20 participants took part of the sky observation program and camped over the night in the museumÕs main building. A long-term project, called Girls in the Museum, aims at the continuous (informal) education of a group of high-school female students in topics of astronomy. Already on its second edition, it is subject to a longitudinal study. Based on our experience and results of the long-term project, we highlight the importance of presenting real and close role model to the girls and well as to diversify the types of activities promoted, always placing science into historical perspective. In this talk, I will present our initiatives, review the theoretical framework used in the practises, and present the most important results of our longitudinal evaluation.
References:
[1]: Dawson, E., ÔÒNot Designed for UsÓ: How Science Museums and Science Centers
Socially Exclude Low-Income, Minority Ethnic GroupsÕ, Science Education, vol. 98, no. 6, 2014, pp. 981Ð1008
[2]: Ben’tez-Herrera, S. et al. ÔPursuing Gender Equality in Astronomy in Basic Education: The Case of the Project ÒGirls in the Museum of Astronomy and Related SciencesÓÕ. EPJ Web of Conferences. 200. 02010
[3]: Spinelli, P. F. et al. ‘Towards Gender Equality: GirlsÕ Day at the Museum of
Astronomy and Related Sciences’, Communicating Astronomy with the Public, vol. 25, 2019, pp. 23-27.