ACES: introducing girls to and building interest in engineering and computer science careers

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, with support from the National Science Foundation, conducts a program for middle school girls-Adventures in Computers, Engineering, and Space-whose main goal is to address the gender gap in engineering and computer science. The program emphasizes hands-on engineering and computer activities through participation in (1) a one-week residential summer camp for girls entering seventh and eighth grades, (2) one-day camp follow-up sessions throughout the school year, and (3) fairs conducted at schools and other public and private facilities throughout the local community. This paper provides an overview of the program and a discussion of the lessons learned from the 2001-2002 focus and how these lessons are affecting the design of the 2002 camp and later project activities and proposals. The paper also addresses program assessment, including tracking the program participants, to determine the program´s effectiveness at reaching its goals.