The WM Parenting Connection

By Stacey Roberts-Ohr, Executive Director, Expanding Your Horizons Network

Confession one: this is my first experience as a guest blogger, or as any blogger for that matter.

Confession two: I’m a childfree by choice chick. I don’t have kids and have never experienced the joys and tribulations of motherhood. I don’t know if this makes me any less qualified to contribute charming witty banter to a mommy blog. You be the judge.

What can a happy, childfree by choice, 44 year old woman possibly contribute to a mommy blog? Well, I actually got some good advice on how to raise a confident and happy teen daughter who one day might want to change the world- I've been asked to share this advice with you today as the Director of a non- profit that works with teenage girls to motivate them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

I work at The Expanding Your Horizons Network, an organization that motivates young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Fact: girls tend to lose interest in science and math during middle school. During these turbulent years, girls often subconsciously feel that “pretty” is better than being smart. Smart girls don’t have boyfriends and they don’t get asked to school dances or to parties. Yes, that’s the message many girls internalize, even if it’s not true.

Enter The Expanding Your Horizons Network. Through our one-day hands-on math and science conferences, we present a safe and fun environment where girls can become innovative and creative thinkers, ready to solve 21st century challenges. Middle school girls gather at a local university and meet with professional women engineers, computer scientists, and even female astronauts. They listen to their stories, learn about their career paths, and glean some cool details about their personal lives (some astronauts and physicists sport stylish tattoos, skydive and some are even moms themselves). The girls also dive in and participate in an interactive hands-on activity. They might build LEGO robots and participate in a robot demolition derby, or extract and bottle their own DNA. Whatever the activity, these women are amazing role models and the girls have a blast.

Sometimes, I wish I was one of the smart scientists I interact with in my job. I wish I was designing buildings that are impenetrable to terrorists, or inventing a new medical device to help improve the lives of the disabled, I wish I could develop a new mathematical formula that would do something cool. If I had a teenage daughter, I would want her to pursue a STEM focused career and would do everything in my power to help her understand that these careers pay well and are within reach.

If I did have the darling teenager that you have (let’s call her Clementine-- my secret, cool girl’s name), here are a couple of smart, subtle things I would do to influence her choice of career:
First, I would send her to the nearest EYH conference. They cost as little as $10 and they are located worldwide. Visit the EYH website at www.expandingyourhorizons.org.to find one near you.
Second, I would introduce Clementine to STEM role models every chance I got. I would help her interact and meet female STEM professionals both in social and professional environments. I would encourage Clementine to spend a few days shadowing a successful female scientist at her place of employment. I would also encourage Clementine to participate in her school science fair and sign up to attend a “rad” summer sleepover science program where the kids would call her “Clem.”


Okay, it’s true that Clementine only lives in my head, but if I did have a daughter like her, I would do everything in my power to convince her that it’s okay to be smart, and that math and science careers are a cool career option.

Do you have someone like Clementine living in your house? What have you done to encourage her interest in STEM? I would really like to know. Send me an email at Stacey@expandingyourhorizons.org.

Check out more about the Expanding Your Horizons Network at www.expandingyourhorizons.org, and learn more about our recent honor. We recently won the 2010 Public Service Award of the year from the National Science Board. You can read more about it at http://bit.ly/boJc3h.

About Stacey Roberts-Ohr

Stacey Roberts-Ohr is the Executive Director of The Expanding Your Horizons Network (EYH/N).  She is responsible for  overseeing 85 Expanding Your Horizons in science and mathematics conferences throughout the United States and several internationally. She also works with the Expanding Your Horizons Network Board of Directors ensuring that their mission of encouraging young women in science and mathematics is being fulfilled.  Stacey has a masters degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California with a concentration in community organization, planning and administration. She also has a masters in Jewish Communal Service from Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion.  She has been employed at EYH/N since 2002.

Prior to her current position at The Expanding Your Horizons Network, Stacey worked at a variety of non-profit organizations and at San Francisco State University.

Guest Post: Your Daughters Can Be Smart – Not Just Pretty