Pay attention to what you do and say about math,
science and computers. Your attitudes teach more
than your words.
       Push the girls—challenge them to learn more. Let
them know that hard work does pay off, and that each
person can learn how to do the math and science.
There is nothing magic about it, and there is no "math
gene."
       Encourage discourse about math and science—
write and talk about the process. Have them keep math
and science journals where they write about how and
what they learned.
       Get to the parents. Help them to realize that their
daughters can shoot for the high-paying math,
science, and technical careers. And even if you get
resistance, push the parents to realize that the girls
should take as much math and science as possible so
that they will have options later in life as their interests
change.
       Listen to the questions you ask. Listen to the
praise you give.  Use the checklist to assess yourself
or have a friend keep track of the kinds of interactions
you have with children.
       Assume the girls are interested.
       Let girls make big interesting mistakes.
       Expect them to succeed.

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GEMS: Girls Excelling in Math and Science


LET GIRLS
MAKE BIG
INTERESTING
MISTAKES!

Expect them
to succeed.

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