• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Practical and Pretty logo

  • HOME
  • DYEING
  • DIY
  • PARTIES
  • CRICUT
  • ABOUT
You are here: Home / Self Care / Why We Need Women in STEM

March 6, 2018

Why We Need Women in STEM

 

Hear my SHEro story about why I picked a STEM field to study in college and why I think every woman and girl should feel empowered to study these subjects. #StrengthHasNoGender

The SHEro stories in The Strength Has No Gender™ campaign have inspired me and I am grateful to contribute too. I don’t often get very personal here but I really feel strongly about the importance of women in our STEM fields and for this reason I want to share my story.

 

Let’s first talk about what a SHEro is! A SHEro is a courageous, strong, selfless and resilient woman. She has broken through with amazing actions. She’ll stand up for what she believes is right. A SHEro puts others before herself. A SHEro’s will is greater than her obstacles. She not only faces adversity, but thrives. I know we all have a SHEro story to share and I want to hear yours!

Hear my SHEro story about why I picked a STEM field to study in college and why I think every woman and girl should feel empowered to study these subjects. #StrengthHasNoGender

My Experience Studying Math

I have always been a naturally curious girl: problem solving and analyzing data. No specific teacher really encouraged me to take the STEM path but I’m so glad I did. For those of you who don’t know. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. These subjects are often mainly represented by men and there is really no reason for that, except we believed that men had more capacity in those fields. The truth is, women are just as capable as studying and excelling in these subjects as men.

When I started studying Math I didn’t recognize the lack of women representation. I was in the basic calculus courses and would say there were equal men and women at the time. By the time I moved into ‘proofs’ classes or Discrete Mathematics and Differential Equations, I was all of a sudden one of three girls. Why? I have no idea! Women in my Calculus classes were just as capable as me. Did they just not enjoy it the way I did?

This is not to say from that point going forward, everything was simple. I worked really hard on my degree. I was told the only reason I did well on tests was because the teacher thought I was cute. Then, I was told when I didn’t do well that it was because I was predisposed to not understand it the way men could.

Hear my SHEro story about why I picked a STEM field to study in college and why I think every woman and girl should feel empowered to study these subjects.

What We Can Do to Change the Stigma of Math

Diversity in these fields will only make the field stronger. I do believe men and women think and problem solve differently which is exactly why we need women studying these things! One of the very first software developers was Ada Lovelace, a feisty, out of the box problem solver who didn’t let people tell her what to do. We need more of this! This is how we will make progress and new discoveries.

Do you have a daughter you find is always trying to solve things from the inside out? Maybe she is curiously experimenting with new ideas. Perhaps you have a daughter who loves to ask questions. I encourage you to show her how these traits can relate to the sciences.

Often, I hear women (especially mothers) say things like ‘who needs math. I wish I would have learned something I actually use in my daily life.’

If you want to do your taxes, you’ll use math. If you enjoy cooking, you’re using math. Every time you convert measurements from one type of unit to another, you use math. When you organize your day so that you run your errands in the most efficient way, you are using your problem solving abilities that you developed while you learned math. So the next time you catch yourself saying something like “I hate math”, rethink how you say it! Our daughters are listening.

My Current Career

Since getting my degree I have worked in the tech field. Because I learned how to problem solve, I have so many skills that can apply to so much! It prepared me for life in ways more than I ever envisioned. I can now work Excel like it’s a second language, navigate my way around any piece of software and identify its errors, and can even create and run reports to provide my company business insights they need. I’m a Swiss army knife of problem solving because I studied math!

Brawny® is helping women recognize they can be SHEroes too by encouraging people to share their stories. This campaign is so near and dear to my heart! Not only is this campaign an incredibly important and fantastic idea to bring awareness, Brawny® provides a product that helps you take control of your home. Brawny® Paper towels offer more sheets on every roll vs. leading brand comparable rolls and sheet sizes to help you clean up whatever life throws down.

Hear my SHEro story about why I picked a STEM field to study in college and why I think every woman and girl should feel empowered to study these subjects.

We all run into snags in our life and it is encouraging to know we are surrounded by resilient and strong women who can lift us up and inspire us. The Strength Has No Gender™ campaign is highlighting the inspirational stories of everyday women who have been breaking down barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries and empowering others. We need women to advance these industries to the next level. Please share your SHEro story with me and Brawny® will donate $100K and, will also give your SHEro stories to Girls Inc. to inspire girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Let’s shape a better future and prove #StrengthHasNoGender

Hear my SHEro story about why I picked a STEM field to study in college and why I think every woman and girl should feel empowered to study these subjects. Hear my SHEro story about why I picked a STEM field to study in college and why I think every woman and girl should feel empowered to study these subjects.

Head to Walmart to get these Brawny® paper towels that not only work fantastically but also carry an important and inspiring message. And please check out to their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to read more of these incredible stories.

#StrengthHasNoGender #Cbias #ad

Filed Under: Self Care, Tips

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. sharon says

    March 6, 2018 at 12:04 pm

    Yes! We definitely need to encourage and model the love for learning with the next generation! #client

Primary Sidebar

SEARCH

I’m Anna!

Welcome!

I’m Anna and love practical and pretty things. You will find DIYs here as well as party ideas and of course, natural dyeing tutorials. I’m so glad you’re here.

FEATURED ON

PARTIES

Encanto Party Supplies

You will find lots of Encanto party supplies and even some fun ideas for your next Encanto party! Who doesn't love Encanto after all?

Roblox Party Supplies Ideas

roblox balloons

Minnie Mouse Party Supplies

You can DIY an adorable Minnie Mouse party by yourself full of bows and Hot Diggity Dogs. You will also find some free printables here!

Hot Diggity Dog Bar

Hot dog! Hosting a party? Make it fun with this Hot Diggity Dog bar. I’ve got a couple of DIY aspects or just use them and adapt!

NATURAL DYEING

Dye with Weld Plant

Weld plant gives you a beautiful, vibrant yellow color. I'll guide you through how to get this cool dye stuffs to get you neat results.

Ice Dye with Rit Dyemore

dyemore synthetic dye

Rit Color Remover on Natural Dyes

Color remover works for synthetic dyes, but what about natural dyes? See the difference between my naturally dyed fabric after using color remover!

Red Dirt Tie Dye

This tutorial will walk you through how to tie dye using red dirt. It's as minimal as possible so you can do it while you are camping with minimal supplies.

CRICUT PROJECTS

Paper Chain Countdown for Any Occasion

This countdown chain is perfect for every countdown occasion. Any anticipated event is more fun with a way to mark the days away.

Easiest Halloween Banner Ever

https://practicalandpretty.com/miguel-coco-costume/

Mickey Mouse Wrapping Paper

Minnie Mouse Party Supplies

You can DIY an adorable Minnie Mouse party by yourself full of bows and Hot Diggity Dogs. You will also find some free printables here!

Footer

Copyright © 2022 Practical and Pretty on the Brunch Pro Theme