Women in Physics, A Caribbean Perspective.ppt

Women in Physics, A Caribbean Perspective Kandice Tanner University of California, Berkeley Areas of Research- Graduate studies 7 women( total students 12) pursuing graduate studies in Astronomy, Materials Science, Environmental Physics, Medical Physics and Quantum Physics Theoretical and Experimental K-12 Education 80% of primary schools ( 5-11yrs) are segregated Nationally administered Entrance exam taken at 11 to decide secondary school placement 30% of secondary schools ( 11-16 or 18 years) are segregated British based system for Ordinary and Advanced level exams Course content By the age of 11 students have seen algebra, geometry, and basic physics e.g. electricity/ basic circuit theory By the age of 14, students have begun Newtonian mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism ( e.g. principles behind Generators and practical gadgets like a doorbell) By the age of 16 completed the equivalent of pre- calculus and calculus courses in first and second year college For Advanced level work, Math is required to be taken with Physics before entry into University. Personal Story At age 11 based on exam performance selected to attend one of the “prestige” all girls’ schools equivalent to a magnet school . Placed first in Mathematics at the primary school level At age 14 based on exam performance allowed to pursue science as main track for Ordinary levels, selected to train for the National Mathematics Olympiad based At age 16, based on exam performance allowed to continue in Physics changed schools at this point to an all boys’ school At age 18 based on exam performance, allowed to do first choice of Mechanical Engineering at UWI- Trinidad However, recruited by US school with full scholarship Acknowledgements Dr. Shirin Haque, Chair of Physics Department, UWI, St. Augustine, Trinidad Delegation to ICWIP for Trinidad and Tobago Shelly Watts ( undergrad UWI now at UMBC, USA) Riad Hosein post-grad at UWI Dr. Beverly Hartline, Delaware State University * Pop 37.5 million DEMO