One student out of twenty received the honor of creating the strongest bridge. The rest of us felt as if we didn't quite compare. More recently, I have looked into why many students lose interest in science in school. Unfortunately, I discovered that most of them are girls. Even before embarking on their first science lesson in school, most girls are already at a disadvantage.
Girls grow up with other expectations.
Society strongly and romantically asks that girls be cooperative and nurturing, but school settings are often autonomous and competitive. As a result, some young girls learn to doubt their own self-image, and then to be wary of their own opinions. By inviting each student to play a needed role as they work together, I hope each student will gain self-confidence and learn that their abilities to obtain and convey information are trusted. This is the philosophy I will carry with me when I become a teacher. Young Women, Self-Esteem and the Confidence Gap.