CHAMP, Fall 2015
Lesson 6
Due to sports try-outs at KIPP, this week only the female high school
students came to CHAMP. Realizing that we only had high school women in attendance, we
changed the lesson plans and instead had an impromptu discussion on being a woman in
math and science. The discussion was led by our female CHAMP facilitators, who are
all successful women majoring in STEM fields at the University of Houston.
The high school women brought up questions related to a bunch of important issues
that confront women and minorities including lack of role models, stereotype threat,
and the need to find allies when pursuing a STEM career.
The high school women also talked about the fact that, due to our society, when
they picture a scientist, they often think of a white man wearing glasses and a lab coat.
We talked about how this image makes it difficult for them to view themselves pursuing
STEM or medical careers, and how they would like to have careers that help to change this image.
With this in mind, one of the facilitators told the high school students about the article posted
on the CHAMP Facebook page last week:
