CNN: Why do Girls Lose Interest in Math and Science?

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by Bridgette

Without FLL or my older brother's FIRST participation, I don't think I would have discovered my interest in engineering. .... I felt that I had to step up to escape from my brother's shadow and prove myself as a contributing member of the team. While my team has been great to me (and I will miss them as I start college in the fall), I still feel that I'm not taken as seriously because of my gender.

As an older brother of both a sister and a brother who are about to enter HS in the next year, and year after respectively, I can see the impact I have on their lives, and quite frankly it scares me sometimes.

As my sister is moving from 8th grade to freshman status in HS next year, she has already shown an interest in joining "her big bro's team".

Whether it is just because I am on it, or it's because she wants to really know about robotics and engineering still has yet to be seen.

I'm hoping (for my ego's sake at this point) it's because of me , but that in 4 years from now when she is a senior or graduated HS, that it will have progressed more than just a way to hang out with her older Brother more, and that she will truly be inspired by the program and take something from it.

I don't even care if its engineering related. (I know blasphemy you say!) lol But, being on a FIRST team is about learning not only about engineering and technology, and whether you want to be a part of that world after HS, but also learning about yourself and what kind of person you want to be when you grow up.

Would I love to see both my Sister and Brother become something related to an engineering field when they grow up?? Sure.

Will I be disappointed and angry at FIRST or the program and think it has not done its job if they don't go into an engineering related field?? Nope.

All I want them to do is be on the team and just open themselves up to the possibility of pursuing a career in Engineering. If it's just not their cup of tea so to speak, that's fine with me. But I will support both of them, my Sister and my Brother in whatever they decide to do with their lives.

I think that's what it all comes down to. You don't necessarily need to pursue engineering and technology as a field of study and career, but just be aware that it's out there and there are things to do in the field if you want to. And giving some sometimes biased support towards engineering, but letting them decide their future, no matter what it may be, for themselves, is the way I'll approach this.

Nobody should be limited in the types of career they choose, whether it be engineering, marketing, accounting, medicine, or any other technical, or non-technical related field.

Originally Posted by Rick TYler

Statistically speaking, most people are dumber than you. That's why you need to excel -- to take care of them.

I don't know what to think of that. Part of me is cracking up, and part of me is saddened by the fact that that may be true.