Women and Minorities in Technical Courses in Iowa

Recent national reports indicate that math and science education is in a crisis in the United States (Changing America, 1988 and Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering, 1988). Concern has been expressed by many national groups that we must attract and keep more young people in the pipeline to meet future needs for scientists and engineers. Because the need for scientists is projected to increase by 45 percent, for engineers 32 percent and for technicians 36 percent, but the population of 18-24 year olds entering the labor force is expected to decline, the U.S. must attract more women and minorities to these fields (U.S. Department of Labor, 1987). Currently, only four percent of the nation\u27s engineers and 25 percent of the nation\u27s scientists are women (Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering, 1988). This leaves a large pool of women for future scientists, engineers and technicians. Complete education and utilization of under-represented groups is the only way the nation can fulfill its projected need for technical workers