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The B.C.
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THE B.C. J. E. Hesser

1. INTRODUCTION
One of the many facets of the challenges of attracting more women into science involves reaching into the educational system to interest young children, generally, and girls, in particular, in pursuing science studies. An innovative, cost-eective program developed by the Province of British Columbia in 1989 brings volunteer scientists into classrooms, where their enthusiasm for their work can be conveyed through direct interaction with children.

2. BASIC CONCEPTS
Program coordination and administration is contracted to an existing science museum, Science World; no new government bureaucracy is created. Volunteer scientists, engineers, technologists are sent throughout the Province; there are currently 423 registered volunteers. 2,900 class visits in 1991/92 resulted from 1100 requests from schools. Volunteers' travel expenses are paid by the Program, which is funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education, Training and Technology. In 1991/92, 2.5 FTEs administered the program, whose budget was C$175,000 (about 50% was allocated to volunteer travel). Many sta from the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, including the author, postdocs, engineers and senior astronomers are volunteers and have found participation to be very rewarding and agreeable.

3. INITIAL EVALUATIONS
by 1) 2) 3) Two external evaluations have been done to date, with the following results reported the Program Oce: Secondary Level: Program appears to be having a positive impact on students' willingness to continue with science and math throughout high school. Elementary Level: Program has a positive impact on students' interest in science as a career, but multiple visits appear necessary to reinforce the impact. Volunteer Training: 700 evaluations from teachers indicate an overall high level of satisfaction with the Program. However, not all volunteers are equally eective. Training aids have been developed, including a brief video showing three particularly eective individuals in action. An eective manual for presenters has been prepared; for information, contact: Innovators in the Schools, 235 Queen St., 8th Floor, West Tower, Ottawa K1A OH5 Canada.

Women in Astronomy

C. M. Urry, L. Danly, L. E. Sherbert, S. Gonzaga


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J. E. Hesser

4. AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL
The early success and cost-eectiveness of the B.C. Program led to it being used as a model by the Federal and Provincial Governments to establish a network of 13 similar programmes throughout Canada. In Ontario, the 3 dozen-odd chapters of the Association of Professional Engineers are running a program involving more than 600 scientists and engineers. The program appears to have the potential to become a ma jor grassroots movement that could dramatically alter the future of science and technology in Canada. J. E. Hesser: Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics, National Research Council of Canada, Victoria, B.C. V8X 4M6 Canada

Women in Astronomy

C. M. Urry, L. Danly, L. E. Sherbert, S. Gonzaga