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Girls in STEM[/caption]
Since kindergarten, I was told “you’re just not a math and science kid. Stick to humanities.” So why even try?
I nearly failed eighth-grade biology. Not because I found it hard, but because I didn’t care.
My dad, who has a PHD in chemistry, used to joke across the dinner table to me and my sister--”Where did all of the scientist genes go?” We were art kids, writers, even philosophers, but never scientists.
Sometimes I wonder, had I been a boy, would they have pushed me harder? Would I have believed in my abilities more?
Recently, I took AP Biology, and I had a female teacher. I thought the class would be really tough, so I studied hard to avoid failing. Instead, I found it fascinating. I started doing readings beyond just the homework. And I did amazing in the class.
As much as I hate to say it, I think this revelation happened too late for me. I’ve taken my role as the humanities kid to heart in a way that can’t be reversed. Maybe if I hadn’t been conditioned from such an early age, I wouldn’t have written off STEM.
Girls in STEM[/caption]
Since kindergarten, I was told “you’re just not a math and science kid. Stick to humanities.” So why even try?
I nearly failed eighth-grade biology. Not because I found it hard, but because I didn’t care.
My dad, who has a PHD in chemistry, used to joke across the dinner table to me and my sister--”Where did all of the scientist genes go?” We were art kids, writers, even philosophers, but never scientists.
Sometimes I wonder, had I been a boy, would they have pushed me harder? Would I have believed in my abilities more?
Recently, I took AP Biology, and I had a female teacher. I thought the class would be really tough, so I studied hard to avoid failing. Instead, I found it fascinating. I started doing readings beyond just the homework. And I did amazing in the class.
As much as I hate to say it, I think this revelation happened too late for me. I’ve taken my role as the humanities kid to heart in a way that can’t be reversed. Maybe if I hadn’t been conditioned from such an early age, I wouldn’t have written off STEM.
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