Exploring the Mathematical Maze: A Gift for Girls and Those with Computational Abilities

Author: Valerie Viator (Canada) Wenpat Kuples (Canada)
Illustrator: Wang Dajian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-09-01
Features: When facing this series of books titled Girls' Science, many readers may have a question: Girls' Science? Is science really related to gender? In fact, there's no need for deep exploration. Just think about the things you see and hear around you, or even your own experiences, and you'll likely arrive at a fairly certain conclusion. Recent examples include: What differences, if any, do boys and girls show in their science studies among your classmates and friends? Have you ever heard teachers or other adults say that girls aren't suited for science? When you've encountered science-related issues at school or outside of it, have you shown a particular interest? You could also reflect on more distant matters, such as: How many famous scientists do you know? You might immediately name many well-known figures like Galileo or Einstein, but how many of them are female scientists? If you can name Marie Curie or other female scientists, that certainly shows you're concerned about this issue. But even if you rack your brains, can you think of more outstanding female scientists? Probably not many. So, would you still say that science is unrelated to gender?
Beyond this, we could also consider the following question: In general, what kind of girl is considered the standard or ideal girl? Perhaps parents or others often say to outgoing girls, "Don't be so crazy—be more girlish!" In society's expectations of girls, emphasis is placed on qualities like being calm, gentle, introverted, and emotionally rich. For boys, however, the ideal standard is often seen as being tough, outgoing, and rational. Under these "standard" models of girls and boys, when we connect formal schooling with out-of-school exposure to science, we find that learning science seems to align more with the traits society expects from boys, such as abstract thinking, rather than intuitive, (emotional) cognition. In this regard, girls may again be at a disadvantage. But today, we live in an era of science. A lack of understanding of science, whether you're a girl or a boy, will make it difficult to adapt to modern society's demands and will also affect your future personal development. Therefore, for girls, learning science is also essential. The only question is how to learn it, how to learn it more easily, how to enjoy the process, and how to do it with interest.
This series of Girls' Science books is specifically designed to address these issues, taking into account the learning and psychological characteristics of girls. It connects science, technology, and even mathematics closely with daily life, especially with the types of content that girls are more familiar with and concerned about, such as diet, household chores, and games, integrating scientific knowledge into these areas. Moreover, the book includes many stories about female scientists. When discussing technology, it focuses on knowledge that girls are more likely to encounter in their future development. Mathematics, often considered a weak area for girls, is also frequently linked to their everyday experiences in this series. Of course, the book also features captivating storytelling, much like a fairy tale, which can both increase girls' interest in learning and boost their confidence in studying science.
What suits you is the best. This science book written for girls will open a door for many more girls, behind which lies the mysterious yet fascinating world of science.