Dear Mentors:

In our interviews with young women, several indicated that they were hesitant to pursue careers and studies in engineering because they were not able to visualize themselves as mathematical beings. One of the strongest students in a pre-engineering class, when asked if she was thinking of pursuing a career in engineering, responded:

"I have pre calculus now. And it's not that I can't do the math involved in the mechanical (engineering) class, it's that I can't do the math involved in my math class, and so, if you need to take certain math classes when you are there (college), I don't know if I would be able to deal with those classes."

Many of the young women we work with believe that the people who make it in technical careers start out mathematically gifted. When these students encounter difficulties in math class, they begin to question their own ability to pursue a technical career.

-What kind of practical advice can you offer a student that would help her reevaluate her attitude toward mathematics?

-How do you help students believe that mathematics is more accessible and within their reach?

-What experiences can you share from your own life that can help demystify mathematics for these students?

Please respond to this scenario under the heading, Scenario 2 Math Minded? by Friday. A new scenario will be posted for the weekend.

Look forward to the conversation!

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