Role of Women in Math, Science and Engineering Essay

Role of Women in Math, Science and Engineering - Essay Example However, in spite of these challenges, few women have made an impression in these disciplines, discrediting the myth about the gender’s weakness in the subjects. This paper discusses the role of women in the academic disciplines, related to math, science and engineering. In particular, the paper focuses on the contribution of women in United States in the 19th century and compares the conditions that existed then with the current years. In the recent times, the number of prominent women scientists, mathematicians and engineers pales in comparison to liberal artists, authors, dramatists and dancers in the American society (Clough, 2004). In the 19th century, Berger(1987, p73) noted that the number of women in math, science and engineering disciplines was far much less in a society that was making transition from the agrarian to an industrial driven economy. According to Berger(1987, p89), the role of women in the now developed United States was restricted to home chores, a fact or that greatly undermined their early involvement not only in pursuit of their studies, but also in the choice of their careers. In the highly multicultural American society, the academic progress of women especially from the minority groups was an enormous challenge. However, regardless of the racial and economic background of women, their involvement in science, math and engineering was very low. The 19 century was characterized by many groundbreaking and scientific innovations from which most of the current technologies are founded and a number of women played an active role in the United States. Their role was not only limited to studying sciences, math and engineering disciplines to higher levels but were also involved in innovation of new technologies from those disciplines. At the time, United States was undergoing economic and social changes that demanded invention to solve the problems afflicting the society including diseases, more efficient machines to cope with the mass production demands in addition to enhancing the agricultural production in order to meet the food demands of the increasing population Berger, (Berger, 1987, p 102) Some of the most prominent American women scientists in the 19th century included physicians such Elizabeth Blackwell, Annie Elizabeth, a dentist, Maria Mitchell, an American astronomer, Richard Ellen Swallow, a renowned chemist and ecologist in addition to Amelia Earhart, a popular aviatrix. Other women included Rebecca Cole, the first African American woman to earn a doctorate in Physics, Marie Curie a renowned chemists and among the pioneers of radioactivity. In medical and nursing profession, some of the most prominent women included the Beatrice Hinkle, a psychiatrist, Helena Deustch, a psychoanalyst, and Lillian Carter, who was a prominent nurse. Though these women made remarkable contribution in their scientific and engineering disciplines, Clough (2004) notes that their numbers was very small compared to America n men in the respective areas. Although their marginal involvement in math, engineering and science has been attributed to the then a hugely male dominated society, the current role of women in these disciplines is still very low compared to men. This is in spite of the highly liberalized and more equitable society that provides equal opportunities to both sexes. According to Clough (2004), women are under

Organizational Theory and The Heart of Change Essay Example for Free

Organizational Theory and The Heart of Change Essay The book The Heart of Change shows the practical side of the theories that are taught in the course textbook. It presents stories of successes and failures based in the application of concepts discussed in Organizational Behavior and Management and in class. Although we talked about several different concepts the ones that are evident in the examples in The Heart Of Change are the more progressive and individual centered approaches. The leadership characteristics that are important to successful change in an organization are those that are espoused in the transformational theory of management. It makes sense that ideals in line with the transformational management theory would be evident in a book about how to bring about positive change in an organization. Discussion A transformational leader essentially is about growth through change, about challenging the status quo, and staff to grow and perform it is about empowerment and all of those things are important in regards to the approach put forth in The Heart Of Change. A key theme in The Heart Of Change is that change is not brought about by statistical analysis or common sense, but it comes after changing the way that people feel about an issue. It is about connecting with the individual and bringing about an emotive response that motivates a change in behavior. And that is in line with one of the focal traits of a transformational leader. They are visionary leaders who focus who create the mission, focus and goals for the organization. Their approach to leadership is centered around the individual. This is important because for a leader to effectively implement change based The Heart Of Change they would have to be aware of they motivational factors of their employees so they know how do best address the intrinsic needs to change the attitudes of employees. The Heart Of Change shows that change does not happen simply by instituting different systems, but that people are the  force that ultimately determines how well an organization adapts change. That also relates to the leadership style of the transformational leader. They focus on the people as the key elements to bring change to an organization. Group Emotional Intelligence is a topic that we discussed in class that is essential to the type of change discussed in The Heart Of Change. The second stage of change is about putting together a team that is able drive the company towards its specific goal in regards to instituting change. There needs to be a strong force pushing the change and keeping the urgency up. It is understandably to much for on person to handle so there needs to be a team of interested, motivated people to act as that driving force. The three ideas of trust, sense of group identity, and group efficacy are essential to group effectiveness. The group that is at the forefront of the change action in an organization needs to exhibit a high EI. Not only because they need to be efficient, but because they are a model for the rest of the organization. This again relates to the character traits of the transformational leadership theory. Being a role model, showing others behaviors to emulate are what transformational leaders do, and this is what the change guiding group does as described in The Heart Of Change. Empowerment is an issue that is imperative to the change process. We touched on the idea of empowerment while exploring power, and politics in the workplace. Empowerment is important in regards to The Heart Of Change, because it is also about ownership. For change to be effective it takes an entire organization to believe in the change process. Through empowerment of the staff in the change process you are creating a sense of ownership for them in the process of change. Once they feel like they are an important part of the process it creates a sense of pride in their part of the process. In the workplace a sense of pride usually leads to a commitment to excellence in working towards the goals of the organization. Again this is a trait of transformational leadership. Transformational leaders encourage their teams and staff to be innovative, creative and encourage them to take risks. Empowerment is a tool, which is used to elicit the abovementioned traits in the staff, and drives the c hange. Organizational socialization is the way values; abilities, expected behaviors, and social knowledge of a organization are shared. It is based on creating an uniformity in mission, beliefs and actions. Socialization, in regards to the organizational change does not seem that it is an important issue in regards to affecting change in an organization. However, it is an integral part in sustaining any positive gains that have come from organizational change. After any sort of change occurs it must be accompanied with a change in the formal and informal socialization procedures to ensure they reflect the new organizational structure and culture. Effective socialization is imperative to ensure the change is long lasting. Updating Standard Operating Procedures for existing staff, as well as orientation procedures should reinforce the new changes for current staff, and introduce them to the new staff. Changing a system in simple. Sustaining a new culture and behavior in the workplace is difficult. People tend to revert to what is comfortable to them. In organizations that are in the process of implementing change is systems or culture, new people to the organization are the easiest to accept and adapt to the new changes. A new active socialization procedure needs to be adopted to address the veterans in the organization. They are the group that will be more apt to fall into old habits. Communication in the workplace is key to change, and is a theme that is throughout The Heart Of Change. Communication is important throughout several different stages of the change process as described in The Heart Of Change. There is a chapter in The Heart Of Change where they concentrate on communication of the vision and goals to the organization as a whole to motivate the members to buy into the vision. However, communication is very important during the first stage of change. In this stage the message communicated is the catalyst that will inspire the rest of organization to want to change. The communication should be tailored to evoke an emotional response, to motivate staff. The message can be we need to change, but the delivery of the message is has much to do its effectiveness. Also communication is important in the socialization aspect of sustaining  change. Within an organization communication comes in different forms. Procedures and rules are in the employee handbook, emails and memos. The culture of a workplace is transmitted through symbols and actions. The latter of the aforementioned communication is difficult and requires more effort to see that it is carried out in a manner that supports the organizational change. If there is a specific message, and vision that is to resonate with people and motivate them, all the actions of the leaders in the in the organization should reflect the message. Conclusion Change is a difficult process for an individual, but for an organization the difficulty grows exponentially. For an organization to change the actions and culture of everybody within the organization must change as well. There are the logistics involved in changing organizational structure. Then there is the task of changing the behavior of the employees as well. That is where the most obstacles will be found. The Heart Of Change offers a variety of experiences to highlight their theory in regards to the steps of successful change. Rooted in their theory are concepts that were discussed in class. Most of concepts that are evident in the change process theory are progressive and reflect ideas indicative of transformational leadership theory. The Heart Of Change has brought the individual concepts together and shown how they can work together to affect successful change in an organization. Reading The Heart Of Change shows how the powerful and effective the ideas that we learned about are, and how they can benefit us as we take leadership positions in our organizations.

Lord of the Rings :: essays research papers

It is easy for the reader who enters the enchanted realm of Tolkien's own work to be lost in the magic of the Middle-Earth and to forbear to ask questions. Surrounded by elves, hobbits, dragons and orcs, wandering the pristine fields and woods, described with such loving care they seem almost real, it is easy to forget there is another world outside, the world in which John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, an Oxford don, lived and wrote his monumental series of fantasy novels. It is, after all, natural to want to escape humdrum reality. Literature that offers a simple pleasure of a different time, a different place has nothing to be ashamed of. Tolkien in the same essay describes "escape and consolation" as one of the chief functions of the fairy-tale by which term he understands also what we would call "literary fantasy" today. "Escape and consolation" seem to be self-evident terms. What is there to discuss? Perhaps all that I have to do today is to praise Tolkie n's fertile imagination and to step modestly aside. But the sentence I just quoted suggests that asking questions about the fairy-tale realm is not so much unnecessary as dangerous. You risk not merely boredom and disenchantment but the actual expulsion from the Fairyland. Why? Is there, perhaps, more to the magic land than meets the eye? What if the "escape" it offers is fake; what if Middle-Earth lies not "in a galaxy long ago and far away", as Star Wars put it, but much closer to home, right on the border with Tolkien's war-stricken England of the 1940s and perhaps even not so far from our own turbulent Middle East. What if the further away we travel, the more inevitably we come home? These are the questions I want to discuss today.And if the result of this inquiry will be the loss of the key to the gates of Paradise, I'm willing to take this risk. Therefore the focus of this talk will be the question that Tolkien himself emphasized as central to our perception of works of fantasy: what is "the effect produced now by these old things in the stories as they are" (32); in other words, how are the elves, orcs, the Dark Lord and the magic ring relevant to the here and now? However, I do not believe that the answer to this question should be sought in the circumstances of the author's own life.

Molecular Modeling

MOLECULAR MODELING 1. Objectives ? Predictthe shape of identified compounds; ? Construct molecular models of identified compounds; and ? Determine the molecular structure of identified compounds. 2. Theory Building models of molecules are useful for visualizing how atoms are connected in three-dimensional space called molecular geometry, which is best predicted by Valence-Shell Electron-Pair Repulsion (VSPER) theory. The following are the sets of rules summarizing thsi theory: ? Consider molecules and ions where two or more atoms are bonded to a central atom. The electron pairs in the valence shell of the central atom are assumed to position as far apart as possible because electron pair repels one another. The shape of the molecule or ion is a result of the electron-pair repulsion. ? All the valence-shell electron pairs of the central atom are considered both the pairs that form covalent bonds (called bonding pairs) and the pairs that are unshared (called nonbonding pairs or lone pa irs). ? The nonbonding pairs help to determine the position of the atoms in the molecule or ion.Valence –Shell-Electron-Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory allows the chemist to predict 3-dimensional shape of molecules from knowledge of their Lewis Dot Structure. In VESPR theory, the position of bound atoms (ligands0 and electron pairs are described relative to a central atom. Once the ligands and lone pair electrons are positioned, the resulting geometrical shape presented by the atoms only (ignoring lone pairs) is used to describe the molecule. Electron Density and Molecular Geometry | d(Be-Cl) = 0,117 nm? = 180  °| | | Linear (B-F) = 0,130 nm ? = 120  ° Triangular Planar d(S-O) = 0,150 nm ? = 109 . 5 ° Tetrahedral | | d(P-Cleq) = 0,202 nmd(P-Clax) = 0,214 nm? (ClPCl) = 90  ° ;  ? (ClPCl) = 120  °| Triangular Biplanar | | d(Xe-F) = 0,190 nm? = 90 °| Octahedral 3. Apparatus and Materials 2- Modeling Clay (diff. colors) 1 – Wire (3mm. diameter, 5ft. long) 1- Pr otractor 4. Procedure 4. 1. Determine the molecular structure of the compounds listed in the table. 4. 2 Fill the table provided for the experiment. 4. 3 Construct the molecular models for each compound. 4. 3. Use color for the central atom diff. from the attached atoms. Use one color for the attached atoms. 4. 3. 2 Make a 2-inch diameter central atom X and ? inch diameter for the attached atoms Y. 4. 3. 3 Cut the wire into 3 inches long. 4. 3. 4 Attach the central atom X to the Y atoms based on the arrangement. 5. MolecularFormula| BondAngles| MolecularStructure| No. ofBond Pairs| No. ofLone Pairs| AngularGeometry| BeCl2| 180 °| | 2| 0| Linear| BF3| 120 °| | 3| 0| TrigonalPlanar| SO4| 109. 5 °| | 4| 0| Tetrahedral| PCl5| 120 °| | 5| 0| TriangularBipyramidal|XeF6| 90 °| | 6| 0| Octahedral| 6. Questions 1. What is valence electron? Give its importance. In chemistry,  valence electrons  are the  electrons  of an  atom  that can participate in the formation of   chemica bonds  with other atoms. Valence electrons are their â€Å"own† electrons, present in the free neutral atom, that combine with valence electrons of other atoms to form chemical bonds. In a single  covalent bond  both atoms contribute one valence electron to form a  shared pair. For  main group elements, only the outermost electrons are valence electrons.In  transition metals, some inner-shell electrons are also valence electrons. Valence electrons can determine the element's chemical properties and if it will bond with others or not. When two atoms approach each other and react with each other, it is their outer shells that come into contact first, and it is therefore the electrons in their outer shells that are normally involved in any chemical reaction. So it is the number of electrons in an atom’s outer shell that determines, to a large extent, how that element will react chemically.

Federal Policy

Federal Policy requiring equal opportunities for boys and girls in activities, facilities, equipment, curriculum, testing and grading, requirements, and behavior and dress code How do objectives help in physical education and sport? Short-term statements of specific outcomes that build cumulatively to reach a goal. Describe the behavior that an individual will exhibit when the desired outcomes are achieved.What is the pathway of energy in the cells? That's animal com/cellular-respiration/">respiration: Oxygen in burn fuel molecules make ATP carbon dioxide out. Use of ATP as energy to perform muscular activity. Two ways to produce ATP: Anaerobic system Without oxygen High energy expenditure, short time (6-60 seconds) Aerobic system With oxygen Lower rate of energy expenditure, longer period of time (more than 3 minutes) What years marked reform in the schools?Bill Clinton (2000) Educate America Act *readiness to learn, improve graduation rates, Competency in core subjects, world leade rship in math and science, adult literacy, positive safe environment, professional development of teachers, parental involvement George W. Bush (2001) No Child Left Behind *use of standards, assessment, accountability, flexibility, and parental choice to mprove quality of education for all What did the colonial period bring to physical education? Physical education was not part of the school curriculum in colonial times. What are hypokinetic diseases?Diseases cause by insufficient physical activity often with in appropriate dietary practices I-coronary heart disease 2- hypertension 3- osteoporosis 4- non- insulin diabetes 5- chronic back pain 6- obesity 7- colon cancer 8- breast cancer 9- early death IO- adverse lipid profile List the benefits of corporate fitness programs. Reduce absenteeism. Reduce presenteeism losses Achieve higher employee productivity. Reduce workers' compensation and disability-related costs. Reduce injuries. Improve employee morale and loyalty. What are the c lasses of levers? orce (teeter totter) Second Class- weight is between the fulcrum and the force (wheel barrow)Third Class – the forc is bwtween the fulcrum and the weight (arm, shovel, boat paddle)pg198 Describe the domains/skills of physical education Cognitive- Development of intellectual skills -acquisition and application of knowledge -understanding relationship between body, physical activity and health – application of movement concepts to learning and development of motor skills – nowledge of technique, rules, strategies, and safety involved in physical activity Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis Evaluation Affective- values, social skills, and emotional development Values Ethics Appreciations Attitudes Character development Cooperation Self-responsibility Self-concept and self-esteem Decision-making skills Self-management and control Receiving Responding Valuing Organizing Characterizing by a value or complex Psychomotor- Motor skill s, fitness Motor skill development Presented in a sequential manner from fundamental movements to complex, pecialized sports skills Physical fitness development Development of the psychomotor domain is physical education's unique contribution to the education of children and youth!Reflex movements Basic fundamental movements Perceptual abilities Physical abilities Skilled movements Communication through nonverbal expressions Which physical education leader promoted natural gymnastics? Thomas Dennison What are the recommendations for aerobic activity according to the ACSM? Adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. Exercise recommendations can be met through 30-60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise five days per week) or 20-60 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise (three days per week). One continuous session and multiple shorter sessions (of at least 10 minutes) are both acceptable to accumulate desired amount of daily exercise.Gradual progr ession of exercise time, frequency and intensity is recommended for best adherence and least injury risk. People unable to meet these minimums can still benefit from some activity. What are the steps in the information processing model? I-lnput 2-Decision Making 3-0utput 4- Feedback How did the ancient Romans view physical education? Exercise for health and military purposes. Rome did not believe in the â€Å"body beautiful† Preferred to be spectators rather than participants Preferred professionalism to amateurism. What is the portion of Americans living below poverty? Who led the playground initiative in NY city? Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg What are the influences on physical activity (age, education, ect†¦ )?High levels of education are associated with good health. Income is also related to health; people who are affluent tend to have better health status than those who are less affluent. Education is often a predictor of income. Many racial and ethnic minorities are e ducationally disadvantaged. Those in poverty are more likely to have difficulty reading. Gender gap is slowly closing. Females read and write better than males, although males perform better in math and science. 2000 Concensus There is an inverse and generally linear relationship for rates of all-cause mortality, total CVD, and CHD incidence and mortality and for the incidence of type 2 diabetes.Accumulation of at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity PA on most days of the week is associated with a significant 20%-30% reduction in all-cause mortality. Additional benefits can be derived from increasing the amount and/or intensity of physial activity. What is the average body fat percentage for men and women? Linear Motion Movement in a straight line and from one point to another. Rotary motion Movement of a body around a center of rotation called an axis. Movement is affected by what factors? Gravity Natural force that pulls all objects toward the center of the earth Center of grav ity Friction Force that occurs when surfaces come in contact and results from the sliding of one surface on the other What does a biomechanist study?Studies movement patterns and how they change across the lifespan and varying disabilities. What was President Bush's contribution to education What are the modifiable causes of death? Tobacco use, poor diet, physical inactivity What are the leading causes of death? Heart disease and Cancer Kinesiology is the sub-discipline of†¦ biomechanics What are sport related components? 1. Agility 2. Balance 3. Coordination 4. Power 5. Reaction Time 6. Speed What are fitness related components? 1 . Cardiovascular fitness 2. Muscular strength 3. Muscular endurance 4. Flexibility 5. Body composition edit. Learning is focused on what elements? What are the different kind of stretching techniques?Ballistic Stretching- The dynamic method uses the momentum generated from epeated bouncing movements to stretch the muscle (not recommended) Static Stre tching – involves gently and slowly moving into the stretch position and holding it Activity levels tend to decrease with age What is the age range for the greatest increase in health club memberships? 18-34 increase 33% 33-54 increase 34% What are the latest findings from the latest Surgeon General's Report? The focus seems to be on the prevention of suicide What president established the President's Council of Youth Fitness? Dwight D. Eisenhower Anthropometric Concerned with the measurement of the human body. Length, width, diameter, circumference, and surface area Galloping Similar to sliding but performed in a forward direction. One foot leads in the forward direction. After the lead foot steps the rear foot follows quickly.The stepping leg is always the lead leg. Skipping Combination of a step and a hop alternating feet after each step-hop. Hopping Involves forcefully pushing off the ground from one foot, a brief suspension in the air, and landing on the same foot. Leapi ng Similar to the run, long step forward to cover distance or to go over an obstacle. Exaggerated running step. Biomechanics The study of the action of external and internal forces on the living body, especially on the skeletal system. Goals The result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end Mission Statements An official document that sets out the goals, purpose, and work of an organization.Objectives Something that one's efforts or actions are intended to attain or accomplish; purpose; goal; target Threshold of Training Minimum level of exercise needed to achieve desired benefits. ACSM American College of Sports Medicine 1954 group of 11 physicians founded the Federation of Sports Medicine later became the ACSM Acceleration Increase of speed or velocity Principle of Conservation of Movement An object in motion stays in motion Exercise Science deals with the study of immediate and long term effects of physical activity on the human body. The how and why the human b ody responds to physical activity is also a focus. Exercise Physiology The scientific study of the acute and chronic metabolic responses of the human body to exercise, including biochemical and physiologic changes in the heart and skeletal muscles.Quantitative Analysis The testing of a substance or mixture to determine the amounts and proportions of its chemical constituents. Ergogenic Aids are any external influences that can be determined to enhance performance in high- pharmacological aids, physiological aids, nutritional aids (sports supplements), and psychological aids. Aerobic (of an organism or tissue) requiring the presence of air or free oxygen for life. Work Exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something; labor; toil Static Equalibrium the ability of an individual to adjust to displacements of his or her center of gravity while maintaining a constant base of support.Motor Learning Is the study of the acquisition of motor skills as a result of practice and e xperience. Leve rs A mechanical device used to produce a turning motion about a fixed point or axis. Lever consists of a fulcrum, a force arm, and a weight or resistance arm. Wellness The quality or state of being healthy in body and mind, especially as the result of deliberate effort. Scheme Theory 1975 Schmidt's theory that proposed the idea of generalized motor program. The idea that movement patterns such a kicking or throwing could be generalized to a variety of sports and settings.