Women in Science Project

History of the Women in Science Project

WISP was co-founded in 1990 by Karen E. Wetterhahn and Carol Muller, who shared a concern about the underrepresentation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields at the national level. They developed programs that would foster success in the sciences for women at Dartmouth and launched WISP, which was a recipient of the first Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. 

Chemical & Engineering News published a 25-year retrospective on Professor Wetterhahn and her contributions to her field, the sciences, and to Dartmouth.

The project has evolved over the years, offering a variety of programs and resources. The current focus is on encouraging undergraduate students to seek out experiences that will help them thrive in the sciences: 

  • Early hands-on research experience
  • Mentoring and connecting with role models
  • Access to information and STEM opportunities
  • Building an inclusive science community on campus and beyond

Research experiences

Early hands-on research experiences are a great way for students to immerse themselves in scientific inquiry and to get to know faculty, graduate students and other undergraduates.

First-year programs in the sciences include:

After the first year, undergraduates can apply to SURFD's other research programs, in any discipline.

And consider joining DURA (Dartmouth Undergraduate Research Association) to connect with other undergraduates pursuing research!

Mentoring

Mentoring has always been a pillar of WISP and is a proven means of increasing retention in STEM. In 1992, two juniors founded WISP's Peer Mentor Program, which matched first-year STEM students with sophomore, junior, and senior mentors who provided them with insider information, advice, and guidance about STEM at Dartmouth.

That program is on hiatus as WISP pilots other forms of mentoring. In 2025-26, WISP organized and co-sponsored a series of informal gatherings centered on the sciences that allowed first- and second-year students to make connections with older undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty. These included:

For other Dartmouth programs and offices also offer mentoring opportunities:

A science community for everyone

Building a more inclusive STEM community at Dartmouth means creating an environment where students from all backgrounds feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed. In recent years, WISP has expanded its efforts to cultivate spaces where diverse perspectives are valued and everyone has access to meaningful opportunities for learning, mentorship, and professional growth. These efforts include:

  • Launching STEM Boldly, a one-year pilot initiative designed to equip students with practical strategies for recognizing and responding to exclusion and bias in STEM environments. Supported by SURFD, the Provost's Office, Dartmouth NEXT, and the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Community, the program brought leading experts in educational inclusion to campus to facilitate interactive workshops for undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and other members of the Dartmouth STEM community.
  • Collaborating with the Dartmouth Center for the Advancement of Learning (DCAL) to co-host a workshop for secondary mentors in STEM research labs. The workshop highlighted evidence-based practices for welcoming new researchers into lab communities, recognizing and mitigating implicit bias, setting clear expectations, and fostering productive mentor–mentee relationships through regular check-ins and inclusive mentoring practices.

WISP continues to organize and co-sponsor initiatives like these that strengthen mentorship, promote equitable access to research opportunities, and foster a culture of belonging across Dartmouth's STEM community. By investing in inclusive mentoring and community-building, WISP aims to ensure that every student has the support and resources needed to thrive and contribute their unique perspectives to scientific discovery.

Get Involved with WISP

 

All Dartmouth undergraduates are welcome to engage with WISP! 

Subscribe to the WISP newsletter:

  • Click here to be added to the mailing list
  • Every week, WISP shares information about talks, panels, and other science-related opportunities

Look for ways to engage in the STEM community at Dartmouth:

If you're with a student group and you're interested in co-sponsoring an event or activity with WISP, contact wisp@dartmouth.edu.