A science ice breaker question:
Could you see yourself in a science related career when you grow up? If so, what career? If not, why?
Friday, January 21, 2011
Discussion with Colleagues - Science in Society
The role of science in society is getting larger every day.
Science is where the world is and certainly where the world is headed. As a woman with a degree in Social Work, I can honestly say that in retrospect, I should have considered the science route if I was interested in making any money and having actual options for jobs.
But why didn't I? I really like science, but I wasn't good at it. That is what many females will say: "I'm not good at science". More and more research shows that women steer away from science and put forth a lackluster effort toward the subject in school because that is what they are expected to do. Science and math classes are for boys; home economics and child development classes are for girls.
Part of my reasons for wanting to become a teacher (and more specifically, wanting to teach in Utah) is just this. There are more science focused careers out there than jobs in human services. There are more girls out there who would be fantastic biologists, chemists and pharmacists than we know. What needs to change is the perception. If we know we can, then we will.
Some fun reading:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080905153807.htm
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan/26/science/la-sci-math26-2010jan26
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100105112303.htm
Science is where the world is and certainly where the world is headed. As a woman with a degree in Social Work, I can honestly say that in retrospect, I should have considered the science route if I was interested in making any money and having actual options for jobs.
But why didn't I? I really like science, but I wasn't good at it. That is what many females will say: "I'm not good at science". More and more research shows that women steer away from science and put forth a lackluster effort toward the subject in school because that is what they are expected to do. Science and math classes are for boys; home economics and child development classes are for girls.
Part of my reasons for wanting to become a teacher (and more specifically, wanting to teach in Utah) is just this. There are more science focused careers out there than jobs in human services. There are more girls out there who would be fantastic biologists, chemists and pharmacists than we know. What needs to change is the perception. If we know we can, then we will.
Some fun reading:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080905153807.htm
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan/26/science/la-sci-math26-2010jan26
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100105112303.htm
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