Elizabeth Cannon

Gender Differences in Adolescent Academic Achievement, Interests, Values and Life-Role Expectations.

The objective of this research was to investigate adolescent gender and age differences in perceptions of academic achievement, interests, values and future life role choices. A survey based on the Eccles Model of Achievement Related Choices was administered to 1419 students. Results indicated that younger students were generally more positive about school and future adult life roles than older students. Major gender differences were found favoring females in English/language arts, and males in science. Gender typical preferences were found for future career aspirations with males selecting science and information technology related careers, and girls selecting artistic and health professions as top choices. The ®ndings are congruent with Eccles Model and support the notion that gender and age in ̄uence adolescent student choices. Many countries are experiencing a general trend toward equitable gender-based participation in the labor force. A recent report (Statistics Canada, 2003) indicates that during the 1990s women made dramatic advances in the highly quali®ed professions requiring university preparation and that as of 2001 they represent 46.7 % of the total labour force. Despite this seemingly positive trend, females continue to be signi®cantly underrepresented in engineering and applied sciences (27% females) university programs (Statistics Canada, 2004) and as such are not likely to increase levels of participation in related careers. Indeed gender comparisons within speci®c disciplines revealed that for the civil, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering disciplines there is an alarming discrepancy of 92% male versus 8% female participation. The statistics for mathematicians, system analysts, and computer programmers were only slightly better, with 72% male versus 28% females employed

Computers and Career Choices: Gender Differences in Grades 7 and 10 Students

Knowledge of mathematics and the sciences is an essential prerequisite in the pursuit of high-status and well-paid jobs in a technologically advanced workforce. However, there is increasing evidence that this kind of expertise will not keep pace with the demands anticipated in the 21st century. Research that investigates the relation between school culture, socialization, ability, gender and values and the relative degree of influence on adolescent student choice in courses, programs, activities in general, and in science and technology specifically, would contribute significantly to our understanding of the problem. Eccles model on achievement-related choices in education and career decision- making was utilized in the present research. The focus of this article is a report on gender by grade comparisons on several questions pertaining to computer interest and usage, and student choices concerning desirable career characteristics, future plans and likely career choices. Results indicate several significa...

The large adaptive reflector: a 200-m diameter wideband centimeter- to meter-wave radio telescope

The Large Adaptive Reflector (LAR) is a concept for a low- cost, large aperture, wideband, radio telescope, designed to operate over the wavelength range from 2 m to 1.4 cm. It consists of a 200-m diameter actuated-surface parabolic reflector with a focal length of 500 m, mounted flat on the ground. The feed is held in place by a tension-structure, consisting of three or more tethers tensioned by the lift of a large, helium-filled aerostat -- a stiff structure that effectively resists wind forces. The telescope is steered by simultaneously changing the lengths of the tethers with winches (thus the position of the feed) and by modifying the shape of the reflector. At all times the reflector configuration is that of an offset parabolic antenna, with the capability to point anywhere in the sky above approximately 15 degree Elevation Angle. At mid-range wavelengths, the feed is a multi-beam prime-focus phased array, about 5 m diameter; at meter wavelengths, it is a single-beam phased array of up to 10 m diameter. Simulations have shown that in operating wind conditions (10 m/s average speed with 2.5 m/s gusts), the position of the feed platform can be stabilized to within a few cm over time scales of approximately 20 s. Research indicates that the telescope concept is feasible and that an order of magnitude improvement in cost per m2 of collecting area over traditional designs of large parabolic antennas can be achieved.