Sisters in Science in the Community: An Informal Gender Equity Program

The goal of the SISCOM program is to improve science achievement of economically disadvantaged middle school students in science, through the development, implementation, and dissemination of a replicable, model program for use with underserved youth, especially girls, in informal educational settings. A number of programs and interventions geared toward bolstering the STEM interest and achievement of urban youth have been implemented across the country. Key elements that have proven to be successful have been incorporated into the SISCOM program include the longevity of intervention, fostering community relationships, inquiry-based lessons that relate directly to students' lives, and student access to caring adults and non-stereotypical role models and relevance to real-world experiences are essential to the format, organization, and content of an effective program (Nieto, 2003).