Techbridge
Evaluation & Results / Materials and Activities
Techbridge was developed by Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland, California with funding from the National Science Foundation, the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation, S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, Noyce Foundation, Chevron Corporation, Fitzpatrick Foundation and others. Its goal is to expand the academic and career options of girls, and to help address the shortage of women and other under-represented groups in technology and engineering.
Since Techbridge’s founding in 2000, their afterschool and summer programs have served over 2,500 primarily underserved girls in grades 5-12 through hands-on projects, career exploration opportunities, and academic and career guidance to expand girls’ interests and options in technology. Techbridge also offers professional development for teachers, role models and partners.
Target age group: 10-18 years old
Setting: Appropriate for a variety of afterschool settings or other informal learning environments. Designed for girls during or after school and in the summer.
Time needed: Each program box has activities and icebreakers that cover approximately five-to-six sessions. Each session is typically 90 minutes.
Training: Training is offered for each of the curriculum units for a fee.
Cost: Reusable program boxes, ranging between $500 -$1,000, include lesson plans, career resources, and all non-consumable materials required for activities. Consumable supplies can be ordered separately from Techbridge.
Evaluation & Results
Techbridge carefully monitors its programs and activities through rigorous evaluation methods, including pre-and post-surveys, focus groups, interviews with girls, teachers, and families, and program observations. Girls who have participated in Techbridge show increased proficiency in technical skills, confidence, and interest in a career in technology, science, or engineering. Techbridge has collected nine years of evaluation results demonstrating the program’s success in several key areas:
- Developing technical skills and aptitude
- Increasing self-confidence
- Promoting greater career interest in technology, science, and engineering
In 2008, evaluation results showed that 96% of girls had increased their knowledge about how things work, 94% felt more confident trying new things, and 93% agreed that engineering is a good career for women. A longitudinal study that tracked the long-term impact of Techbridge on past participants showed after participating in Techbridge, 82% of respondents reported a greater interest in a career in technology, science, and engineering.
Materials, Activities, & Sample Lessons
Techbridge curriculum has been developed with girls in mind, building on their interests and introducing activities they aren’t generally exposed to. The projects and activities foster teamwork skills as girls learn to work together to problem-solve.
Girls may want to make the world a better place but often don’t understand how science and technology help accomplish that. While hands-on projects can spark an interest in technology, science, and engineering, Techbridge research has shown that career exploration and exposure to role models help make the critical connection to careers in these fields. The curriculum units include career exploration activities and resources to expand knowledge about career options for girls. Included in the materials are a resource guide and a toolkit for role models, developed by Techbridge to helps corporations and role models host effective worksite trips and classroom visits.
Sample Curriculum Units:
Green Design
Girls learn about green design and develop science and engineering skills. They construct their dream studio from start to finish – from brainstorming an idea, to creating a floor plan, to building with green materials. Through construction and planning, girls explore and reflect on their energy usage in their home and consider ways in which they can change their habits to lessen their environmental impact. They decorate their designs with recycled and green materials.
Toy Design and Engineering
This unit combines students’ love of play and creativity with the engineering design process. To get the creative process started, students study and dissect toys they are familiar with. They work together in teams to brainstorm ideas, sketch their idea, and prototype their toy. Students also have a chance to name their toy and make a marketing plan. Through this team process, students are inspired to create a product that gives them a sense of pride and insight into engineering.
Electronics and Circuitry
Girls learn about electronics and circuitry through a series of hands-on investigations. They begin with exploration of snap circuits, learn about basic electronic components and build different kinds of circuits. Rounding out this unit, girls learn how to solder and put their skills to action, making a project that they can take home.
Techbridge guide for role models: Get Involved... Make a Difference (PDF)