Mathematics is essential in our everyday lives and is present in almost everything we do. Transportation, construction, medicine, and even arts and music all make use of math. However, despite its prevalence in our daily encounters, we generally see very few women in the industry. Pew reports that the number of women in math only rose from 46% to 47% between 2017 to 2019 — that’s 1% in two years.
This slow growth in representation should encourage parents and educators to help girls explore their interests and opportunities in the field. If you’re wondering what you can do to encourage young girls to pursue mathematics, here are a couple of tips for you.
Growing up, our aspirations are largely influenced by the people we look up to. But when women are underrepresented in math, it can be difficult for girls to find a role model they can resonate with. As adults, we must empower them by introducing them to women role models who have made significant contributions in the field.
Maryville University’s guide to women in mathematics names historical figures whose groundbreaking work has shaped our world today. Ada Lovelace famously developed early algorithms, now considered one of the first computer programs. Mary Somerville was one of the leading mathematicians of her time, making significant strides in calculus and astronomy. Julia Robinson served as the first woman president of the American Mathematical Society. By exposing young girls to women who were able to overcome the social limitations of their gender, they are inspired to believe in their own capabilities.
How we’re taught math in school makes it seem like it’s all just numbers on a page. To get girls engaged in math, you should open them up to the vibrant world to which it can be applied. Christiane Rousseau of the University of Montréal highlights the importance of mathematicians. The Mathematics for Action toolkit published by UNESCO, which she led, enumerates countless real-life applications of mathematics. These include the longer visibility of tropical cyclone predictions, the design of COVID-19 vaccines, and the use of machine learning algorithms to determine the extent of poverty in developing countries.
Showing girls why math is essential helps them feel more strongly about the subject. But it’s important to reinforce this information with inspiration. The HEAD Foundation reminds us that women’s representation allows mathematics to address more of society’s needs. With more women being represented in STEM, women’s concerns don’t need to be left out in fields that require math.
Of course, it’s not enough that we only educate girls on how math can play a part in their adult lives. We also need to cultivate their love for the field by helping them enjoy it in their youth.
You can do just that by finding creative ways for girls to apply math to their interests. Whether they like music, fashion, video games, or sports, try to help them see the mathematical elements underlying them. When assigning math coursework, give them more than just standard quizzes. Encourage them to think more creatively by making things like jigsaw puzzles, 3D figures, or Venn diagrams of their favorite things. Our article ‘How to Make Learning Fun and Engaging: Math’ also suggests playing math-oriented games like Monopoly or counting games. You can also use real-world examples, as this will help them see how math works in real-life situations and give them the confidence to solve more problems on their own.
Nurturing girls’ interest in math lets them fully explore their interests for the future. Ultimately your actions may see more girls taking an interest in the field — and this can spell a more positive future for the world.
Encourage young girls to pursue mathematics by bringing my Superhero Math School Assembly Show to your elementary school! To learn more about our Math Assembly program, visit our Superhero Math show page:
Exclusively written for AssemblyShows.com by Roselynn Jade