2008 Woodie Awards
Blame it on Barbie?
Courtesy of Sue Putnam
Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: Opinion
RENO, Nev.- When Mattel Toys premiered the talking Barbie doll in 1992, the doll's first words were, "Math class is tough." Although the toy makers may have thought they were just stating the obvious, parents and teachers objected to the reflection of a gender disparity in math that continues right into the 21st century.
"The gender gap has narrowed over the years, but boys continue to outperform girls on standardized math tests like the SAT, where girls score approximately 35 points less than boys on the math portion," associate professor of mathematics education Lynda Wiest said. "And males still pursue more math-oriented college programs and careers than females."
That's why Wiest believes girls should be exposed to learning styles that both boost their confidence and broaden their perspectives about math. In 1998 she created the Northern Nevada Girls Math and Technology Camp, which takes place this year July 20-25 on the University campus. The annual week-long residential camp, based in the College of Education, is designed for middle school girls and allows them to explore topics such as problem solving, geometry, spatial skills, data analysis, probability and algebra.
"The camp helps prepare students for algebra and other math classes which are important subjects when considering a college career path in science or engineering," Wiest said. "In middle school, students are beginning to make decisions about future course enrollment and career options. Programs like this are a good way for the girls to explore career possibilities and learn new ways of thinking about math and technology.
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics board recently appointed Wiest as the organization's representative for a three-year term on the Joint Committee on Women in the Mathematical Sciences. An elementary and middle school teacher in Pennsylvania for 11 years, Wiest points out that we still live in a "mathophobic" society. She believes constant social messages, such as a television commercial for computers that features a "damsel in distress," the fact that parents still purchase more tech toys for boys than girls and even the name "Game Boy," all contribute to role modeling that can produce math anxiety.
"The gender gap has narrowed over the years, but boys continue to outperform girls on standardized math tests like the SAT, where girls score approximately 35 points less than boys on the math portion," associate professor of mathematics education Lynda Wiest said. "And males still pursue more math-oriented college programs and careers than females."
That's why Wiest believes girls should be exposed to learning styles that both boost their confidence and broaden their perspectives about math. In 1998 she created the Northern Nevada Girls Math and Technology Camp, which takes place this year July 20-25 on the University campus. The annual week-long residential camp, based in the College of Education, is designed for middle school girls and allows them to explore topics such as problem solving, geometry, spatial skills, data analysis, probability and algebra.
"The camp helps prepare students for algebra and other math classes which are important subjects when considering a college career path in science or engineering," Wiest said. "In middle school, students are beginning to make decisions about future course enrollment and career options. Programs like this are a good way for the girls to explore career possibilities and learn new ways of thinking about math and technology.
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics board recently appointed Wiest as the organization's representative for a three-year term on the Joint Committee on Women in the Mathematical Sciences. An elementary and middle school teacher in Pennsylvania for 11 years, Wiest points out that we still live in a "mathophobic" society. She believes constant social messages, such as a television commercial for computers that features a "damsel in distress," the fact that parents still purchase more tech toys for boys than girls and even the name "Game Boy," all contribute to role modeling that can produce math anxiety.
Be the first to comment on this story