Dr Sally Ride - America's first woman in space

Dr Sally Ride - America's first woman in space has set her sights on a new frontier - making science cool for kids. Dr Sally Ride's particular focus is to get more girls to stick with science and pursue it as a career.

The National Science Foundation said women represent 46% of the workforce but only hold 25% of the jobs in science, engineering and technology.

"I want to right this wrong and have made this the focus of my life at this stage," Dr Ride said.
"Females are 50% of the population and we cannot afford not to tap into that group of people to the fullest extent possible.

"In this country we don't put the priority on math and science education and it's incredible because our society depends on it so much. We are not raising the next generation of scientists and engineers," said Dr Ride.

Making science fun
The root of the problem is seen as centring around a number of prevailing stereotypes that seem to sway females when they are in the 5th and 6th grades, around 10 to 12 years old.

The industry does not have the right image, the subject is seen as too hard and young girls cannot relate to it in terms of their future.

Some of these issues were aired this week in Silicon Valley at the first of a series of round table discussions organised by Dr Ride that included female entrepreneurs, high tech companies and organisations promoting female education.

Campaigners say youngsters need visible role models to emulate
"We are failing in the way we educate. We don't teach in a way that engages students," said Judy Estrin who is chief executive officer of tech consultancy Jlabs and a former chief technology officer for Cisco.

"Parents also need to step up and think about encouraging their children to pursue the subject, not through threat or force but by exposing them to fun experiences like museums and field trips," said Ms Estrin.

A study by the silicon chip giant Intel showed that parents are more willing to talk to their children about drugs than math and science.

Others in the education system believe making the subject relevant to students is key.

"As a scientist and an educator we really do have to step up our game," said Shelley Cargill, assistant professor of biological science at San Jose State University.

If you are a parent, you know that at a certain age the favourite question of every child is 'Why?'

"We need to make science relevant to every day life and make it exciting. It's not just about the geeky nerd, its about chemical engineers discovering compounds to make new and safe cosmetics or the newest synthetic materials for the catwalk."

'there was a growing need for more positive role models for children'

"Kids don't see this subject as cool because unlike music or movies there is no one out there selling it to them. We need people to stand up and say I am a scientist and this is what I do," said Dr Cargill.

'Life blood'
The issue of engaging students in science, technology, engineering and math has been a long standing one that has had a particular resonance in Silicon Valley, which complains constantly about the lack of graduates with relevant degrees to fuel its workforce.

"Math and science is what Exxon Mobil is all about. We use it every day, 365 days a year among our 14,000 engineers and scientists," said Truman Bell, Exxon's senior programme officer for education and diversity.

Dr Ride made history in 1983 on the Space Shuttle Challenger

Dr Ride said she is equally worried about how young people will function in the world without good maths and science skills. "The world has become a different place and science and technology are becoming basic to our everyday living.

"Kids need these skills if they are going to get a good living wage and become scientifically responsible citizens," said Dr Ride.