Essay about Encouraging Girls in Math and Science

Encouraging Girls in Math and Science An ideal classroom in an elementary school would allow both boys and girls to learn fairly, equally, and also be encouraged to be involved in the classroom. The teacher would expect the same effort from the boys as well as the girls. The teacher would implement a respectful atmosphere where the teacher as well as the students would respect one another. The reality is that girls quickly become discouraged to pursue math and/or science related careers. Girls lose their self-esteem from experiencing negative attitudes from their teachers as well as from the boys in their class. Girls are not encouraged to participate in math and science, and they feel that they are not capable†¦show more content†¦If they see themselves as being a homemaker and feel that they cannot achieve a career in math or science, then girls will become what they know. Girls drop out of school with the feeling of worthlessness. Many of these girls are feeling the effects of harassment. When gir ls are teased, it has a negative impact on their educational learning. To help assure that girls stay in school, teachers might â€Å"Establish a respectful setting for learning: Do not allow sexual harassment and select textbooks and curricular materials that are free of sexual and racial stereotyping.† (NEA, 2001) The MAEC(Mid Atlantic Equity Center) recommends that teachers â€Å"make sure that students who are quiet, shy, and withdrawn, are not overlooked. On the other hand, make sure that students who may be disruptive are not assigned to special education more for their behavior than for their educational needs.† (MAEC, 1993) Even though it is ultimately the parent’s responsibility to look after their children, teachers need to care for and respect the children while they are at school. Teachers have opportunity to motivate and encourage boys as well as girls to achieve all that they can. Student-Teacher interactions and having an equitable atmosphere play a big role in developing girls’ self-esteem and their interest in math and science. Girls become uninterested in school if they are constantly in a male-dominated environment. For example, â€Å"MaleShow MoreRelatedThe Inequality Of The Math And Science873 Words   |  4 Pagesboth the math and science fields, or they associate males with a math or science career. Many women are not choosing to go into these fields such as physics or biology, because there are also not enough mentors encouraging women to go into the math and science fields. Society has built this culture to make girls not want to go into math and science because females are not hired in those fields as frequently as males are. Although society may feel that women shouldn’t have a career in the math and scienceRead MorePicture An Engineer : Who Do You See?1216 Words   |  5 Pagesengineer was that of a man wearing dirty overal ls, and working on a train. 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