Teaching Girls to Tinker

12/09/2009

It is much more sensible to be an optimist instead of a pessimist, for if one is doomed to disappointment, why experience it in advance?
Amelia Peabody Emerson

"Girls now surpass boys in nearly every measure of academic success," reports Education Week (November 11, 2009; edweek.org). Yet, the publication continues, "men still receive 77 percent of the bachelor degrees awarded in engineering and 85 percent of those in computer science. Why aren't girls choosing to enter these critical fields of the future?"

One interesting explanation cited by Education week is "girls don't tinker." And, that's because adults don't encourage them to do so. "Teachers allow boys to struggle with math problems long after they have rushed in and rescued girls from the same struggle.... Teachers show boys how to work machines such as staplers or VCRs, while they tend to staple papers or start VCRs for girls. By letting boys struggle and tinker, adults send the message 'I have high expectations for you, so I will wait a little longer. I know you can get it if I give you a chance.' By intervening rapidly with girls, adults let them know that they that they should be afraid of doubt, investigation, and experimentation — all of the essential elements of tinkering."

Exchange Resources on Play

Play is all about tinkering! Exchange has packaged six of its play resources into a single Play Tool Kit and is offering the entire set at a 37% discount. Resources in the kit include:

Books:

Beginnings Workshops Book #6 — Play
Promoting the Value of Play CD Book

Four Out of the Box Training Kits (Print versions):

Play and the Outdoors: What's New Under the Sun
But They're Only Playing: Interpreting Play to Parents
Supporting Constructive Play in the Wild
Designing and Creating Natural Play Environments

Toddler Portable Sink: Classroom Solution for HOT & COLD running water. Convenient way to clean children's hands anytime, anywhere. Mention Code: PS0308 for FREE SHIPPING

For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.