Environmental Science Workshop

I loved going to the environmental science workshop this past Thursday. I love seeing and experiencing science in the outdoors. I love promoting conservation, especially the protection of sharks and the ocean. I was definitely in my element. There was one thing that concerened me at the environmental workshop, and that was people's overall dispositions outdoors. It really bothers me when people (especially girls) scream if a spider happens to wonder across their hand or lap, or how "dirty" and "gross" it is to play outside in the woods. Now, I am not saying everyone has to enjoy the outdoors observing science. However as future teachers we need to watch the dispositions when we are in front of students. It is no surprise to me that there are fewer female scientists then males, when it is constantly put out there that is really "gross" or "dirty" to investigate the science that is taking place outdoors or in the lab. I think many girls get the impression that they can not like science, and that science is meant for boys. I believe this is especially prevalent in the outdoor sciences. It is important for us as teachers as not to show biases such as these because it may shut doors for some students who may otherwise be very interested in the subject. I worry about those at the workshops who were afraid to get down and dirty, and the impacts that they may have on their students and their dispositions. As a future teacher, I hope to not show my negative biases towards any subject and I hope to encourage all students to find for themselves whether or not they like a subject. There are many groups who have tried to reach more girls and get them more interested in science and math.One group in Massachusetts provides a free hands on experiences with science in after school programs for girls of all ages. In the elementary grades students work on science projects and experiences by having a famous female scientist to focus their projects on.

Science Club for Girls