Evidence
AAES Harris Poll in 1998, commissioned by the
American Association of Engineering Societies:
“…an overwhelming majority of Americans believe that
technology makes a positive contribution to society
and that engineers are to be credited with creating
economic growth and preserving national security.
Beneath this goodwill toward engineers and
technology, however, lies a disturbing problem that
threatens continued U.S. leadership in engineering Americans, particularly women, generally feel
uninformed about engineers and engineering.”
Freshman Engineering Enrollments:
No ProgressEvidence
for Women
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
Women
Men
2004
2002
2000
1998
1996
1994
1992
1990
1988
1986
0
1984

Total
Source: CPST, data derived from Engineering Workforce Commission
© 2006 WEPAN, www.wepan.org, prepared by CPST, www.cpst.org
Developed by WEPAN for member use only.
U.S. Undergraduate Engineering
Enrollment by Sex & Race/Ethnicity
20.0
18.0
16.0
Percent
14.0
Women
12.0
African American
10.0
Hispanic
8.0
Asian
6.0
Native American
4.0
2.0
0.0
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
Source: CPST, data derived from Engineering Workforce Commission
© 2006 WEPAN, www.wepan.org, prepared by CPST, www.cpst.org
Developed by WEPAN for member use only.
Percentage of Underrepresented Students in
Freshman Engineering Class at NC State
100
80
Men
60
Women
40
White/Asian
20
URM
Cohort Year
06
20
05
20
04
20
03
20
02
20
01
20
00
20
99
19
98
19
97
19
96
19
19
95
0
Major Issues in Recruiting Women
and Underrepresented Minorities





Stereotypes perpetuated by media (e.g. Barbie
hates math)
Misinformation about what engineers really do
Perceived lack of fit for engineering into K-12
classroom subjects
Misrepresentation of engineering in middle and high
school curricula (confusion with technology)
Classroom climates often intimidate females and
members of underrepresented groups