Course “Girls with Science”: Potentials of Geology and Paleontology’s Popularization from a Gender Perspective

Abstract

The Girls education course “Girls with science: Geology, Paleontology and Gender” hosted by Museu Nacional/UFRJ were conceived by the idea that children and youth education in science should be focus on awake girls interest in science, once in the actual initiatives the masculine participation is more frequent. The highest number of subscription in extended education courses show how the society is interested in activities of continues education focus on gender identity. The course main objective is present to girls how science is developed by ordinary people and even in research areas where the male gender is predominant the women participation is growing. This article aims spread the work method used in the “Girls with science” course composed of theoretical and practical activities using day by day examples in Geology and Paleontology. Also, we expect encourage other institution in create, reproduce and development new activities for general audience. The work team is composed of professors, technical personal, undergraduate and postgraduate students in several different areas and is the one of the project highlights, once students have the chance of observed and see female scientist in careers different phases. The results show is necessary more interaction between highacademic education and school. Also, the focus on everyday activities that can improve the understanding of science is welcome. Recently, the brand new course was award with the honorable mention in the 8º Ibero Americano award in Museum Education, andnow is part of the good habits database in education sustained by Ibermuseus.

Keywords

• Geology
• Paleontology
• education
• Science popularization
• gender discussion