Science is a great communication tool because so many things can be applied to the wonder of science. This past week I was asked to speak to a group of girls about stereotypes. They were in luck because stereotypes are right up my alley!
So, I began by showing them a picture of a girl – about their age – who loved playing basketball with her brother, reading books, and daydreaming of becoming an author. (Yes, it was the 90’s and yes I thought it was a great haircut.)
Like my own children’s reaction, these girls made all sorts of faces wondering who that kid could even be and were amazed that that girl indeed was me! I assured them that we all have our awkward stages and that we change and grow – in fashion and in hair choices – as we age!
I then shared various stereotypical comments that I’ve heard in my life and in the end, how they fueled me to achieve my goals. Here are a few of those lines and what I did in response to them.
- “You look like a boy!” so I got my ears pierced and kept that same short ‘do for years.
- “You can’t dance!” so I went on to join my high school dance and drill team.
- “You aren’t supposed to be in this engineering classroom!” so I went on to get a chemical engineering degree.
- “We thought ‘Tracy’ was a guy coming to visit our offshore oil platform.” so I went on to be one of the few women engineers on my platform.
I’ve had numerous stereotypical comments throughout my life – some hurtful, but most hilarious. Many of them just drove me even harder. I assured this group I was speaking to that not everyone who stereotypes you are terrible people – I went on to marry one of them!
Most importantly, you are uniquely you – despite the stereotypes and/or bad haircut choices. We then proceeded to use science to demonstrate how unique we really are by analyzing our fingerprints.
What you need: a balloon and an ink pad
What you do:
- Lay the deflated balloon flat
- Using your thumb press it into the ink pad then press you thumbprint onto the balloon
- Blow up the balloon just enough to make out the unique patterns
What’s the science: Of the 100 billion people who have ever existed on this planet, each and everyone of their fingerprints have been different. As part of our biometrics – we all have different patterns of loops, arches, and whorls. You really are uniquely you, made with purpose, and with dreams imprinted on your hearts.
Photo credit: cubscoutideas.com
Next we decided to write down those dreams on a piece of paper. We discussed how some of those dreams might seem impossible and too far beyond our reach. But with a bit of careful planning and a bit of luck – those dreams can be achieved.
I asked if their dreams seemed as impossible as it would be to walk through a piece of paper. Then proceeded to show them how to walk through that paper.
What you need: one 8.5″ X 11″ sheet of paper and scissors
What you do:
- Fold 8.5″ X 11″ paper in half (like a hotdog)
- Cut 1″ alternating cuts along the along the folded edge and the straight edge
- Open the paper and cut down the center line
- Walk on through
What’s the science: Cutting the paper didn’t change the area of the paper but it did change it’s perimeter. Try out making smaller cuts or experiment if an odd number versus an even number of cuts makes a difference. If you think something is impossible, try going at it a different way or perspective – then like the paper – walk right on through to achieve your dreams.
On (another) personal note: One of my dreams was for a book in the Halley Harper series to win a book award. I have had countless people say that it would be difficult because I am a independently self-published author. I watched for years as other books received awards so I just continued cranking out more and more books in the series hoping that one day they would be recognized.
I’m so happy to announce that this past month – Halley Harper: Summer Set in Motion – won a Readers’ Favorite Book Award in the Children Grade 4th – 6th genre. Thank you for all who continue to encourage and support the series as Halley Harper breaks down stereotypes for our girls in science!
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