New educational pursuits are trending for teen and preteen girls to curb documented evidence that the U.S. is lagging behind other countries in competence in STEM* (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math). Did you know that while the U.S. has added more than 1 million IT jobs to the labor force, we lack the home-grown talent to fill those jobs? At the same time, high school girls make up just 17 percent of students who take the Advanced Placement Exam in Computer Science. In short, girls and young women are our top, under-developed resource in science and math.
STEM is a national education trend, and the newer approach of STEAM (STEM plus Art) capitalizes on hands-on learning, innovation, and making an impact on the world. An organization on the cutting edge of both is www.PrettyBrainy.com. If you have a preteen or teen daughter, look into Pretty Brainy for her benefit.
I’m proud to say my three-year-old grandniece is getting a head start in the math area. She was happily digging into a cupcake her dad gave her that was piled high with pink frosting and white sprinkles. When her mother asked her, “What’s the best part of your cupcake?” her response was “Two.”
As you work on your own personal branding it will pay to encourage your daughter to also. If she can get into a curriculum inside or outside of her school that emphasizes STEM or STEAM, she’ll be ahead of the game.
