Ideas for Parents

by Judith MacAlpine, Loretta Rector, Paul D. Jones, and Adele Neuberg

Parents need to encourage their daughters and sons to pursue subjects that genuinely and individually interest them rather than following traditional career paths because they are girls or boys, but parents can't do it alone anymore than the schools can do it alone. We have to work together.
-- Susan Bailey
Director of the Center for Research on Women
Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA

Tips for Parents

Inspire her with stories featuring gutsy little girls
Offer to help your child's teacher in school
Check homework-be positive
Watch TV with her
Play games that involve math with her
Expose her to a range of experiences
Choose a wide variety of games avoiding stereotypical choices
Take her to work with Mom and/or Dad
Encourage independence and responsibility
Encourage her to develop math skills
Talk about science and math
Offer guidance but encourage her to fight some battles
Encourage her to be a problem solver
Visit math/science classes
Be truthful about sexual stereotypes
Hold high expectations for her
Offer guidance from BOTH parents in course selection
Get PTA and other organizations involved in the gender issue
Discuss her personal and career goals
Let her choose

Resource List

Burns, Marilyn. Math for Smarty Pants. Little Brown and Company, Boston, MA, 1982.
Gilligan, Carol. In A Difference Voice. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 1982.
Skolnick, Joan et al. How to Encourage Girls in Math and Science. Dale Seymour Publications, 1982. 1-800-872-1100.
Stenmark, Jean Kerr et al. Family Math. Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, 1986.
Tobias, Sheila. Overcoming Math Anxiety. W. W., Norton and Company, NY, 1978.
________. Succeed With Math. College Entrance Examination Board, NY, 1987.

Programs to Encourage Girls in Math and Science

Below is a sample of programs to encourage girls in math and science. Check with your school counselor, math teacher, science teacher, FHA (Future Homemakers of America) for programs in your area. At the end of this section, two resource listings are included for further opportunities.

Connecticut Pre-Engineering (CPEP): ¶ Identifies and assists promising minority students in grades 6 - 12
Finding Out/Descubrimiento: Program for Complex Instruction, Center for Educational Research at Stanford; Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305; ¶ Problem-solving and cross-tutoring
GEMS (Great Experiences in Math and Science): Lawrence Hall of Science; University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720; ¶ Activity-based science and math
Girls Count: 303-832-6600
Go Power for Girls: Ames Community Schools; 120 South Kellogg; Ames, IA 50010; ¶ Network for encouraging girls
Math for Girls and other Problem Solvers: Lawrence Hall of Science,; University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720; ¶ Program for children
Math/Science Programs for Girls: Dr. Mitchell Lazarus, 617-969-7100; Educational Development Center; 55 Chapel Street; Newton, MA 02160
Mathematics-Science Summer Enrichment Program: District of Columbia Public Schools; 20th and Franklin Streets, NE; Washington, DC 20018
MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement): Lawrence Hall of Science; University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720; ¶ Tutoring and academic counseling grades 5 - 12
National Institutes on Health Apprenticeship: Marjorie A. Tingle, 301-496-6743; Division of Research Grants, Westwood Building, Room 10A11; 5333 Westbard Avenue; Bethesda, MD 20892; ¶ Minority high school student research apprentice program
National Science Foundation Young Scholars: Julia B. Clark, 202-357-7538; NSF; 1800 G Street NW; Washington, DC 20550
Operation SMART (Science, Math and Relevant Technology): Evelyn Roman-Lazen, 212-689-3700; Girls' Incorporated; 30 East 33rd Street; New York, NY 10016; ¶ Hands-on science activities
Project Interface: Allen Temple Baptist Church; 8500 A Street; Oakland, CA 94621; ¶ Identifies and assists promising middle-school students
Project MiCRO (Minority Computer Resource Opportunity): Southern Coalition for Educational Equity; P.O. Box 22904; Jackson, MS 39205
Project SEED (Special Elementary Education for the Disadvantaged): 2336-A McKinley Avenue; Berkeley, CA 94703
Saturday Science Academy: Clark Atlanta University; 240 James T. Brawley Drive, SW; Atlanta, GA 30314; ¶ Improving problem-solving skills (K-12)
Space Camp: 1 Tranquility Base; Huntsville, AL 35805
SummerMath: Char Marrow, 413-538-2608; Mount Holyoke College; 302 Shattuck Hall; South Hadley, MA 01075; ¶ Program for high school girls
U.S. Dept of Army-Junior Science and Humanities Symposium: Donald Rollins, 919-549-0641; Army Research Office; P.O. Box 12211; Research Triangle Park, NC 27009-2211
U.S. Dept of Energy-research apprenticeship: Donna Prokop, 202-568-8910; U.S. Dept of Energy; 1000 Independence Avenue SW; Washington,DC 20585; ¶ High school research apprenticeship
U.S. Dept of Navy Apprenticeship: Debra T. Hughes, 703-696-4111; Office of Naval Research; 800 N. Quincy St.; Arlington, VA 22217; ¶ High school apprenticeship program
Women and Mathematics: Alice J. Kelly, Department of Mathematics; Santa Clara University; Santa Clara, CA 95053; ¶ National network to encourage girls in math and science

Note to teachers: We have developed this list for you as a resource when working with parents to motivate parental involvement in encouraging young women in math and science. Please note that it is not a comprehensive list.

Listings for Further Opportunities

Intervention Programs in Math, Science, and Computer Science for Minority and Female Students in Grades Four Through Eight: Educational Testing Service; Princeton, NJ 08540-6313
Equity and Excellence: Compatible Goals: Office of Opportunities in Science; American Association for the Advancement of Science; AAAS publication no. 84-14; 1333 H Street, NW; Washington, DC 20005

Woodrow Wilson Leadership Program in Mathematics

lpt@www.woodrow.org
The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation

webmaster@woodrow.org
CN 5281, Princeton NJ 08543-5281

Tel:(609)452-7007

Fax:(609)452-0066