Are You Destined for Mathematical Greatness?

The purpose of this curriculum unit is to educate young women on careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields and on the women who broke down barriers to open those doors. The project is based on students (or teams of students) conducting interviews and reflecting on the societal and personal barriers that have made gender ratios in STEM careers so imbalanced.

Student teams will interview alumnae from their high school who went on to work in STEM careers learn about job pre-requisites, responsibilities and what influences led the women to that field.  Students will also hear about the high school experiences of the women in STEM careers and get advice from the graduates. Once the students have looked into the past, they will look to the future by interviewing upperclassmen who excel at mathematics about strategies and techniques they attribute to their success.  These upperclassmen will also offer advice to the freshmen.

To prepare for the interview process students will develop listening and critical thinking skills for writing questions and follow-up questions.

The hope for the unit is that students will find inspiration and methods to succeed and perhaps pursue careers in STEM fields.