USING AN EXTENSION SERVICES MODEL TO INCREASE GENDER EQUITY IN ENGINEERING

The Engineering Equity Extension Services (EEES) developed a research-based approach to encouraging more gender equity in engineering, specifically in the mechanical and electrical fields, with the ultimate goal of increasing the number of women attaining baccalaureate degrees in these fields. We envisioned a "train-the-trainer" project based on an extension services model, with our Experts providing research-based guidance on practice to Extension Agents who provide practical guidance of "gender-friendly" instructional and outreach practices, informed by research on engineering education and project management, to teachers, faculty, and outreach volunteers. Over the 5-year course of the Project, the original plan evolved into one employing Expert consultants both to give advice to the original Extension Agents as well as to work directly with faculty members in mechanical and electrical engineering departments on projects aimed at both K-12 and undergraduate students. Our website serves as a clearinghouse for resources developed during the Project as well as relevant research-based resources on gender equity, engineering education, and project management. This paper describes lessons learned over the course of the project, the resources that were developed, and the application of these lessons and resources to other efforts to encourage diverse students to study engineering.