For the last few summers, I have worked as a TA in a special summer course for girls that show talent in math and science. During the four week course, we teach the girls some basic algebra that will help them in the pre-algebra course they will take in seventh grade, take them on field trips to various science-orientated places, and have female speakers talk with them. Also, the girls work on several different labs, including the egg drop contest where they make containers to keep eggs from breaking when dropped from the top of the school. These labs familiarize the girls with the scientific process and its many steps. The entire course encourages the girls to investigate everything and to work for that Nobel prize if they want it.
Although I have enjoyed working with those girls, I do not believe it is the best way to erase this problem. I have presented my ideas on my "The Future" page. In my opinion, one of the most important parts of the solution is getting parents more involved with their children's education. My parents have always shown an interest in my schooling even at the times when I would have preferred them to stay out; I believe their participation has helped my classmates and me a great deal. Several times, my father spoke to my science classes about his work as a computer programmer, and each time he did, he always mentioned his female colleagues and their important contributions. Parents need to get involved.
The content of this site comes from my personal experiences and those of the people around me. One of my friends did have an instructor ask her if she really wanted to be in a man's field when she was studying aerospace engineering at the University of Houston. Eventually, she did leave the program due to the pressure she found there. To others that feel similar pressure, try to find a female advisor at your university or a female mentor at a nearby business and talk with her; she will be able to help. NASA has started something like this at the Women of NASA site.
Abbey Fischer
10/31/97
abbey@jump-gate.com
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