Growing up I was told that education was important. It never occurred to me that some areas were mainly male dominated. I was just as good in math and science as the boys were. I actually preferred it when I was in elementary school.

There wasn't a strong push to teach gender equality when I was younger. Schools seem to be more aware of that now.  Perhaps it's the turn of the times or the legislation of the controversial No Child Left Behind law; either way, testing has shown that girls are just as smart as boys in math. The San Francisco Chronicle and The New York Times both touch on the subject in recent articles. They mention a toy made in 1992 as a social marker of the stereotype...the notorious Teen Barbie that proclaimed "Math is Tough."  The toy created an uproar with the moms and educators alike. 

Here at the Museum, I see children play at our own Lookout Cove.  There are trucks and brooms scattered all around the site and girls play dump trucks while boys sweeping away sand looking for buried treasure. In our more scientific Wave Workshop there is an equal interest in the science of currents and wind by both genders.

It's nice to see the stereotypes being dispelled by the children all while they are learning and having fun!

This entry was posted on July 30, 2008 and is filed under Jaisette Herrera.
Tagged: in the news
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