Math is not just for boys, right? Studies indicate few women enter fields of math and science
Ask math camp teacher Jacqueline Scott’s sixth grade students if they think math is just for boys, and they’ll shout “no way.”
Even Barbie has decided that girls are good at math. Her decision last year to choose computer engineering as her latest career was applauded by the Society of Women Engineers as a step toward encouraging girls to study math and technology.
This was quite a mind changer for Barbie, whose creator Mattel was criticized in 1992, when Teen Talk Barbie was released. She uttered “math is hard.”
According to a 2010 study “Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics” by the American Association of University Women, most people still agree with Teen Talk Barbie.
The study found that only 20 percent of college graduates who earn bachelor’s degrees in science, technology, engineering or math are women.
A study released this spring from the University of Washington stated that decades-old gender stereotypes continue today, and that parents are partly to blame.
Lead researcher Dario Cvencek said, “When a girl does poorly on a math test, often she’s told, ‘That’s fine. You did your best.’ When a boy does poorly, he is more likely to be told, ‘You can do better. Try harder next time’.”
The study found that as early as second grade, some girls begin to think math is “hard,” “irrelevant,” “boring” and “boyish.”
None of those words describe what math means to Alexis Everson, a rising 6th grader, who attended Scott’s math camp.
“Math is easy and fun because we do fun activities with it,” Everson said.
Scott’s camp for girls and boys entering the 6th grade was designed to review 5th grade math and introduce new concepts that students will be taught in 6th grade.
Camper Isabelle Coleman listed math as her favorite subject but she offered some advice for girls who struggle with numbers. “Practice and do homework at home,” she said.
She’s on the right track, according to The American Association of University Women. Researchers recommended that teachers and parents examine their own implicit biases and actively encourage girls to study math.
Scott, who has taught basic math, pre-algebra and algebra to 7th to 12th students grade at Midland Middle School and Carver High School, shared her thoughts on how parents and teachers can all help girls realize that math is not just for boys.
How can you make math fun for kids (especially girls) to learn?
I enjoy being creative in the area of math. (At camp) I was able to use different activities to demonstrate the importance of math. You can find the interest of girls which may include sewing or crafts, shopping and sports and create an activity with math. I love to create a store with clothing (especially old fashioned clothes) and place discounts on the items and allow the students to go “shopping”. Girls really like this one!
Have you noticed a difference in the interest of the learning process of boys and girls when it comes to math? I have, especially at the middle school level. Girls tend to shy away from answering as many questions in class. If teachers decide to create a group activity, it is important to mix the group to ensure that the groups are not the same gender.
Where you surprised to learn that there are still few women entering math and science fields? I was somewhat surprised. We have so many women entering leadership roles (i.e. first female mayor in Columbus). So, one would assume that the balance of females in other areas are increasing as well.
What can parents do at home to help their children become or remain interested in math? Parents often tell me that by about 6th or 7th grade they can no longer help their child. So this year, I am creating a parent academy to address this need. The main thing that parents can do is check out the current math curriculum from the Georgia Department of Education at www.gadoe.org. They can also take advantage of several math sites, tutoring services provided either by the school or community. Parents should also ask to see their child’s daily assignments and go over them with their child whenever possible.
What factors do you think contribute to girls not “liking” math as much as boys and do you think it changes as girls get older? Traditionally, we see commercials or ads about careers in the area of math and we tend see mostly men in the ads. We also sometimes do not encourage girls to compete in the area of math as strongly as we do boys. I don’t these are intentional, it just happens. It is our job as parents and educators to help close this gap.
Do you think certain outdated societal gender roles present themselves in the classroom and what can be done to avoid that? Somewhat. I think we need to continue help females realize that by being smart in the area of math or any subject doesn’t mean that will exempt them from being great wives and mothers in the future.
Do you think that a mother who considers herself weak in math might unintentionally give her daughter a feeling that math is just for boys? What can a mom do to prevent this attitude from developing in her daughter? Absolutely. But, most moms that I speak to today, make a strong effort to overcome their past fears and weaknesses in math and find resources to help their daughter become successful.
Do you think toys and dolls (such as Computer Scientist Barbie) help girls have more open minds about future careers? I think it could help slightly because gives an image to young girls. However, experiencing math through the classroom, camps and other venues are key.
What impact do positive female role models have on girls feeling that they can succeed in traditionally male-dominated areas of study and career paths? I think females can truly impact other females. I have so many females in this community that inspired me to excel in math. They taught me that to excel in math did not exclude me from becoming a positive female that could contribute to society and serve others.
Why is it important for women to enter fields of math and science? It is important for females to enter the fields of math or science because they can have the knowledge to become great contributors in these areas. Everyone has special talents and gifts. Girls do not need to have limitations on where their gifts may be actualized.
This story was originally published August 1, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Math is not just for boys, right? Studies indicate few women enter fields of math and science."