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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of science and technology summer camps on the confidence, values, and future intentions of female and male campers. The week-long camps were administered by Actua, a national organization with a mandate to increase awareness of science and technology among Canadian youth. Campers completed a survey both pre- and post-camp. Camps were perceived to be a very positive experience by 83% of campers. Significant positive changes were reported in confidence, values, and future intentions. Results provide some of the first quantitative evidence, at a national level, for the effectiveness of science and technology summer camps that use a hands-on, interactive approach.

In a three-year study, female students from all-female computer science (CS) classes were compared to male and female students from mixed-gender CS classes. Participants were 250 students enrolled in an elective Grade 11 CS course. The study provides some initial empirical evidence supporting the positive effects of all-female classes in CS at the high school level. (AEF)