Program Need:

    Research was conducted by reviewing national statistics and verbal surveys were conducted in Medway/Sydenham Hall Residence here on the U.W.O. Campus. The results indicated that there was a strong interest and desire to help other women succeed in their desired programs. Many of the women surveyed indicated a strong affirmation to becoming a "Big Sister" to an incoming first year female Science student. This program is about a grass-roots effort of women supporting women. The need for such a program is demonstrated in the literature.

    Facts:

1. One study in the U.S. followed 2000 girls expressing an interest in Science through highschool and college. Only 20 of those original 2000 received a BS degree in the Natural Sciences.
   
   
2. Stereotypes of women felt by many are:
   
   If I kept quiet, I was invisible in the classroom.
   If I opened my mouth, I was considered aggressive
   If I complained, I was considered a troublemaker.

  3.    The male to female ratio in Science and Engineering is roughly 30 to 1(UWO).

  4.   There have been only 9 Nobel Prize awarded to women in the 3 science categories
         (Physics, Chemistry and Physiology and Medicine) out of a potential 469 prizes
         that have been awarded since 1901. This includes the laureates from this year also.

  5.   Only 11% of all full professorships in all fields of science and engineering are held by women.

  6.  45% of incoming first year women who had indicated an interest in Science shrunk to 15% actually        majoring in Science.

  7.   In most recent Canadian stats, the total number of degrees compared to the 

        number of women that they were awarded to are;