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By Susan Smigielski Acker
Published: September 7, 2007
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Published: September 7, 2007
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EmailFrom conversations with Susan Fincke, director of the STEM Pioneer Program at Tidewater Community College and Dr. Stephanie Blaisdell, STEM Consultant
- Talk to them about math and science being fun, rewarding and challenging, not hard.
- Stay involved in school. “Sadly, when our children reach middle school, many parents are no longer as involved,” Blaisdell said.
- Set high expectations for math and science classes.
- Find a local role model.
- Seek activities such as going to a science museums or science camp when not in school.
- Encourage participation in math and science clubs both in and out of the school setting. Blaisdell recommends www.wieo.orgas a resource for finding different organizations.
- Let preteen girls know they do belong in such places as the math club even if the majority of participants are boys. “Keep telling them they are supposed to be doing it and support their interest when they mention it,” Blaisdell said.
- Be aware if a girl is developing a fear of math and science.
- Seek out the guidance counselor if you sense there is a teacher who is creating the fear. “It used to be that some teachers (even female teachers) would dismiss intelligent girls. We are seeing less of that, but it can still happen,” Blaisdell said.
- Teach time management with homework.
- Women who are in engineering fields tend to lean toward specialties that help people. Let them know that specialties, such as civil engineering create roads which also help people.
- Mothers should demonstrate their comfort with math and science. However, do not exclude dad from the scene. In many cases, fathers have more influence on daughters than mothers do.
- Coach rather than nag them about their math and science work.
Sources: Susan Fincke, director of the STEM Pioneer Program at Tidewater Community College and Dr. Stephanie Blaisdell, STEM Consultant.
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