 MSU scientist's persistence brings girls to math and science
In a process measured in decades, Sharon Hapner, senior research associate in MSU's Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, has labored to bring girls to the table in math and science. "We needed to work hard to show people that gender equity was in their own best interest," Hapner said. "After dreaming for so many years about doing something significant for gender equity, we finally made a difference." Her work over the past 25 years has been to open the door to opportunities for women and girls in science and engineering. Most importantly, her work has been to open minds. Open the minds of educators and administrators to provide an atmosphere that encourages girls to pursue math and science; open the minds of girls themselves so they see that they can succeed in math and science. For these efforts Hapner will be honored May 11 with the 2001 Betty Coffey Award. The award is given to a member of the MSU community who demonstrates achievement in developing programs that contribute to the elimination of persistent barriers to the success of women and who incorporate women's perspectives into the curriculum. The biggest educational tool for Hapner and others in this arena was a $1.4 million National Science Foundation Experimental Project Grant received in 1997; the purpose was to advance the opportunities and improve the environment for rural women students wishing to pursue educations in science and technical fields. Through the grant the three-year project, Science and engineering for All: Opening the Door for Rural Women ( SEA), was launched. Among other activities in the project, each year Hapner designed and co-taught a summer graduate course on gender and science for in-service science/math teachers and counselors from middle and high schools around the state. The courses were attended by more than 100, including school administrators. The project also awarded mini-grants to individual schools to help implement changes in the science and math curriculum. "The most lasting effect of this project was an increased commitment to gender equity. It could be in the smallest of things, like supporting an all girl science, math or computer club. It makes a huge difference when you let girls see women at work in the labs on campus. They need to see women doing the work. Even if it's just verbally encouraging girls, it's still a huge impact," Hapner said. Because of the project, the teachers, counselors and administrators now have a statewide network of resources and support to draw on when it comes to gender equity. "They're connected now," Hapner noted. Although the SEA project ended in 2000, Hapner hopes that a grant can be found to continue the work that was started and to go further in the education of teachers. "I would like to see a project that works with elementary teachers. Even very good teachers can send discouraging messages, such as calling on boys to answer questions more than girls. That sends the subtle message that the boys' answers are more important." According to Hapner there are some concrete advances for women in the sciences. She said there are now more women faculty in some areas. She notes that particularly in the life sciences, men and women are almost equally represented at the undergraduate level. "But the glass ceilings still exist at the graduate and faculty level," she said. "And there still is an under representation of women students in physics, chemistry and engineering." Originally the Black Eagle native pursued a career in music and journalism. "The male counselors at school said, 'let the boys take math and science. You should teach school.'" But Hapner knows personally the power of encouragement. "I had to work to pay for college, so I got a job in a hospital lab. I was very interested in what was going on and was encouraged by my co-workers to pursue that interest so I became a medical technologist," Hapner said. She went on to receive her bachelor's degree from the College of Great Falls and her graduate degree in biochemistry from MSU in 1977. When she came to MSU in 1975 she was the only female graduate student entering that year. She defended her graduate thesis to an all male committee. Hapner has participated in other programs both on and off the MSU campus to help improve the opportunities and the chances for success for women in the sciences and technical fields. "Activism has always been a way of life for me. If you see a problem, you solve it. I'm passionate about ideas," Hapner said. She's passed that passion along to her daughter, Quinn, who is an environmental attorney in Minnesota. Hapner was the chairperson and an active participant for almost a decade in the WISE! (Women in Science and Engineering) committee. She has also served on the Women's Studies Minor Committee and the Women's Center Advisory Board. She has taught both Text and Critics and a course titled "Women in Science" in the University Honors Program. Hapner has chosen to stay in Montana and work at MSU with her husband, Kenneth, because of the strong sense of place she feels here. "I've never felt at home anywhere else. I didn't want to be in the fast lane. An intellectual involvement with science was what I wanted." Brenda McDonald
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