Motivating Girls
in Science: Measuring Monkey Calls on Moonlit Nights is
an educatinal program intended to encourage young girls
from the community to pursue careers in science.
By the age of 13, girls begin
to fall behind boys in science proficiency exams and continue
to score lower on standardized testing throughout high school.
studies have shown that since social attitudes tend to become
fixed during middle school and early high school, girls that
develop negative attitudes during this period of development
towards science, are unlikely to pursue the academic background
necessary for careers in the science filed (Milbourne, 2004).
We are fortunate to have enthusiastic and talented girls
join us from three locations: the Girls Scout Troop from
Mays Middle School in Goulds, as well as the Haitian Organization
of Women and the South Dade Labor Camp, both located in Homestead.
Twelve college students drawn from florida International
University, the University of Miami, and florida Atlantic
University mentored 25 girls. The girls were chauffeur driver
from their homes to visit Monkey Jungle during the day and
the wonderful Owl Monkeys of the DuMond Conservancy in the
evenings. There, the girls prepared and fed the Owl Monkeys
and then waited patiently as dusk fell. They then measured
the fading light, noting when the monkeys would wake up, and
recorded the excited vocalizations the monkeys made as they
enjoyed their fruit, salad, and monkey biscuit feast.
