Ada Lovelace Day

I wanted to sneak in my Ada Lovelace Day post before today is over, so here we go! If you don't already know about Ada Lovelace, find out more here.

There are so many amazing women in science and technology that I could go on and on about, but I ultimately decided to talk about Danica McKeller (widely known as Winnie from The Wonder Years). But Danica more than just an actress - she has a degree in mathematics, and is a published writer! Danica is incredibly intelligent, and she's making a point to let young girls know that it's cool to be smart. Her books to date are Math Doesn't Suck and Kiss My Math.

We live in a world where people, both young and old, often say, "Oh, I'm no good at math!" Why is that okay? Why is that acceptable? As Neil deGrasse Tyson said at a talk I recently attended, you don't often hear someone say, "Oh, I'm no good at English!" or "Oh, I'm no good at reading!" And that's because it's socially unacceptable to not be good at talking or reading, and it IS socially acceptable to not be good at math and science. If you haven't already noticed... this angers me.

Anyhow! Danica is my pick for Ada Lovelace Day because she is making it okay to like math. And she's gorgeous, and talented, and everything young girls want to be. She's the perfect person to be this kind of role model, and I'm so happy to see her writing books that kids can connect with.

I also feel I should mention that I used to own a shirt that said, "Algebra is for lovers." Erica = big geek. As if you didn't already know that.

, Erica Tuesday, March 24, 2009 5 comments  

5 Responses to "Ada Lovelace Day"

Ryan responded on 3/25/2009 11:53 AM #

I highly support women loving and understanding science and mathematics, but I hear "I'm not good at reading" WAY too much.

Anonymous responded on 3/26/2009 9:29 AM #

I didn't realize Winnie Cooper was such a brain. The perfect thing to go with those fine looks. :)

Ahhh, Winnie Cooper...those were the days.

Anonymous responded on 3/26/2009 10:50 PM #

I noticed that she's also a library supporter. She's hacking her autograph for five book donation to library.

http://www.kissmymath.com/autographoffer/

luckeyfrog responded on 3/27/2009 7:40 PM #

I hear the reading comment a lot, but I teach elementary kids. I hear the same things about math too, but I was one of those kids until about pre-algebra. (Until then, math was the only thing that wasn't really easy- so naturally I hated it.)

I wish she'd do an elementary book, but I guess some of the ones who could really benefit can't quite read well enough anyway.

I'm kicking myself for not adding her as one of the Women's History Month report subjects!

Jen responded on 4/26/2009 8:30 PM #

Most of my students prefer math over reading. I, however, loved to read but did not care for math. As I got older, I did not mind it as much. Glad that she did not go the way of most child celebs.

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