Challenge stereotypes
Make a point of disputing the notion that girls aren't good at math, science, or technical trades - or that certain careers are only appropriate for boys or for girls. This is just as important for sons as it is for daughters. Provide your children with access to diverse role models.
Make Math Meaningful
Even if you aren't a math superstar, look for ways to make math relevant to your daughters' lives. Share your thinking when you estimate how much gas you have in the tank, when you calculate the price of something on sale, or when you try to figure out travel times. If you are not confident in your own math abilities, help her find a tutor and learn with her. Show her that it's important to keep learning, especially if it doesn't come easily.
Find Out Together
Create opportunities to explore and discover different areas of science and technology together When you say "I don't know, but let's find out," and follow-through, you can not only nurture her curiosity and confidence, you can create wonderful, lasting memories.
Ask Her What She Thinks
Encourage your daughters to think of a possible answer to a question rather than always simply providing one. Encourage her to use reason, creative thinking, and research skills to explore a question and check her thinking. Help her improve those skills so she gains trust in her own ability to solve problems and find answers.
Provide first-hand experiences of engineering
Encourage participation in afterschool or summer programs. Work with local engineering organizations through career exploration or mentoring programs. You can find many links to programs in our section of Clubs and Programs. You may also find that Competitions and Contests are a great way to get girls involved. The Girl Scouts website also has many activities and helpful tips on how to encourage your daughter to try out engineering.
If you value the work of the EngineerGirl website, consider offering your support through a financial gift. Individual donations can be submitted through our Giving page. If you work for a company that values the work and mission of EngineerGirl, you might consider asking that they sponsor the website through one of our ongoing sponsorship opportunities.