Kelly Hanna is on her way to earning a degree in physics, but she says her classes are usually filled with men.

Women currently represent 12 percent of graduate students and 15 percent of undergraduate students in Penn State's department of physics, said Richard Robinett, physics department head and director of undergraduate studies. However, according to a recent study published by the American Institute of Physics, Hanna (sophomore-physics) probably experienced a very different classroom atmosphere just a few years ago when she was in high school.

The study reports that about half of all high school physics students are female, but the numbers drop dramatically when women enter college.

The study was released just weeks after Harvard University President Lawrence H. Summers said women are not as involved in physics because they do not have the same "intrinsic aptitude" as men do.

Renee Diehl, one of four female Penn State physics professors, said she disagrees with Summers' comment, but feels some good may come from it.

"I don't know why he said that, but it's brought a lot more dialogue to the subject," she said.

A recent Associated Press report said Summers' comments may be fact-based, as some scientists have found men's and women's brains are wired differently, making men more adept in math and science.

However, the report says overall intelligence between men and women are equal.

In 2003, only 22 percent of bachelor's degrees in physics were awarded to women nationwide. The percentage was about the same for women entering graduate programs in physics.

However, these numbers are a record high, according to the study.

Katie Rung, assistant director of the Women in the Sciences and Engineering (WISE) Institute, a department that encourages the recruitment and retention of women in sciences, said the lack of women in physics is a problem at Penn State.

"Physics is very underrepresented in all levels, from undergraduate to graduate and in faculty ranks," she said. "We do things to try to encourage young women to come into these fields."

Diehl said it is important to encourage young girls to pursue physics before they enter college.

"The thing is, most of the time students make their minds up before they even get here," she said. "It's probably more important to get information out to students in middle school and high school about careers and jobs."

Diehl added that Penn State makes a "great" effort to support and encourage women who want to major in physical science and engineering.

For example, students can live in the WISE house, a dorm interest house, and join Women in Science and Engineering Research (WISER), a program that places first-year undergraduate students in research labs to make them comfortable and familiar with science programs.

Robinett said a mentoring program called Physics and Astronomy for Women (PAWS) is also available to help women studying physics and astronomy.

Hanna lives in WISE house and said she enjoys the atmosphere of living with other girls interested in science.

"I'm in physics because I really like it," she said. "In high school I wouldn't say I was any more or less encouraged than guys."

Hanna said more girls might pursue physics in college if they have a female role model in the field.

"I think it helps," she said.

--The Associated Press contributed to this report