At this juncture of my career and life, I feel like I have so much to do and so little time to get it done. I know there's a lot of attention right now on helping girls understand they can be whoever they want to be, including a programmer, engineer, dancer, Doctor, lawyer.
I love that there is now a focus on what girls can do.
Remember I said I hated math and science at school. It took me to sit in a WeDo session with Chris Lofgren, and observing a sister interact with her brother during my summer camp, that I realized what it was I needed to do.
I need to start the conversation with students as young as 5, specifically girls on what they CAN do.
Why?
Because I let Chris do the building, worried that I would make a fool of myself. My job was to find the pieces. This sister had the same role. I was 40; she was 7.
I am not saying this is the story of all girls. I know there are many women in STEM positions. I know that the robotics team at the high school has many girl members. I know, however, that we are underrepresented.
Many organizations have been created to address this concern:
What I notice, however, is all these girls are middle school aged and above.
I love that there is now a focus on what girls can do.
Remember I said I hated math and science at school. It took me to sit in a WeDo session with Chris Lofgren, and observing a sister interact with her brother during my summer camp, that I realized what it was I needed to do.
I need to start the conversation with students as young as 5, specifically girls on what they CAN do.
Why?
Because I let Chris do the building, worried that I would make a fool of myself. My job was to find the pieces. This sister had the same role. I was 40; she was 7.
I am not saying this is the story of all girls. I know there are many women in STEM positions. I know that the robotics team at the high school has many girl members. I know, however, that we are underrepresented.
Many organizations have been created to address this concern:
- http://girlswhocode.com/
- http://www.girldevelopit.com/
- http://www.blackgirlscode.com/
What I notice, however, is all these girls are middle school aged and above.