The influence of early experiences and university environment for female students choosing geoscience programs: a case study at Universidad de Chile
Tania Villaseñor
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Instituto de Ciencias de la Ingeniería, Universidad de O’Higgins, Rancagua, Chile
Departamento de Geología, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
Sergio Celis
Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
Núcleo Milenio EDSUP, Santiago, Chile
Juan Pablo Queupil
Centro de Estudios en Educación y Aprendizaje Basado en la Comunidad, Universidad Católica Silva Henríquez, Santiago, Chile
Luisa Pinto
Departamento de Geología, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
Maisa Rojas
Departamento de Geofísica, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
Centro de Ciencia del Clima y la Resiliencia, Santiago, Chile
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Short summary
We interviewed 12 female students to examine their experiences in geosciences at the male-dominated Universidad de Chile. The experience moved from negative to positive in the transition from the early years of college, during which they experienced gender-based discrimination, to the geoscience major within which the presence of more women improved the environment. We discuss some strategies to increase the satisfaction of female students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
We interviewed 12 female students to examine their experiences in geosciences at the...