Who is your science role model?

Create a mental image of a typical scientist. Whether you picture a chemist, psychologist, or field biologist, the scientist in your head will most likely be male. The results of this mental exercise, is often conducted in psychology class, one of which sparked my interest in this topic. Ironically, I pictured a male scientist even though I consider myself a woman of science. So why is this initial assumption so strong? From our first exposure to science in our culture, we learn of the history of science. This history is dominated by the achievements of men because until recently, women were not prevalent in the field of science
When a female scientist is involved in a scientific breakthrough, they are not often credited and remembered for their contributions. The majority of the credit usually goes to the male voice on the project. For example, one of the most notable discoveries in biology is the double-helical structure of DNA. This is credited to the male scientists Watson and Crick. The discovery of DNA’s structure would not have been possible without the contribution of female scientist, Rosalind Elsie Franklin. As previously emphasized, the credit went to the male figures involved.There is a strong stereotype toward males having a stronger representation in the fields of math and science, while women are seen to thrive in the humanities. Many believe that the women in science stay out of the “dirty work,” and are involved in the social sciences. I encourage women to branch out of this stereotype and celebrate the success of female scientists by forming support groups and communities. A visual presence will begin to challenge this stereotype. In more recent history, as we dive into the twenty-first century, the number of females in each scientific field has increased. Wheaton College has nurtured a large number of these female scientists that have paved their own way in their respective scientific fields. I am passionate about science; however, I realize that a gender and power imbalance exists. There is a lack of public recognition for significant achievements of women in science, and every woman should take part in changing this.

Men and Women in the sciences, any differences??

After reviewing my interviewees I though about the answers each person gave to me. This led me to ask, is there a difference between men and women in the sciences? Does it matter whether or not there is a difference between men and women in science? I know that science is something that you have to have a passion for and you cannot force someone to do it if they do not like it. Even if they are coerced into it, eventually they move on to something different. I know psychologist would argue that there is a difference. Children (boys and girls) are introduced to toy like shapes as a toddler. Both sexes are interested in objects as toddlers, whether it had a strange color or shape, it is amusing to toddlers. This could be a legitimate reason for boys to be more interested in technical and mechanical work that involves math and science. While on the other hand girls are, suppose to play with dolls, support, and care and nurture their husbands while they produce children and take care of the home and find interest in the humanities. What would an anthropologist argue in this matter? Women are always put into classes and the portrayed images of what an ideal woman should be, do and say come from many sources- parents and other caretakers, siblings, relatives and friends, and later from peer group, the media, cultural icons and heroes. I strongly agree that there is a lack of support for women to be scientists; it is too complex and complicated according to society and nature. I read and articles about two years ago for a psycholosy class which, stated that men created SAT scores. It is perfectly fine that men create SAT scores: which consist of Math and English, which men tend to score high on all the times. What would happen if a woman should create this kind of test such as the SAT? I believe there would be a change in women getting better and higher scores just like men.

Interview 1

This was taken from statement in a proposal written by a female junior at Wheaton College. This was for an application proposal for a Woman in science house theme. She was asked to state her interest in the house and what she hopes to gain from living in a “special interest residential community.” Her statement is as followed; “I am an African American female who has declared the major psychobiology. My personal interest in moving into the woman in science house is for my equality across all disciplines to be recognized. I would like to be a part of a community that gives equal opportunities to women in our future scientific endeavors. Living in the residential community will help me maintain a good GPA. A house of intelligent woman who are in the same classes as me or have a better understanding on what I am working on will very much help me have a better understanding of my work. In addition, most of the women in the house are on the track team, which is great because we already have a close relationship we can build from not only athletically but also academically as well.” This is interesting because before I got her statement I asked her if she had any doubts about the sciences and she told me yes and explain how she struggled in a few of her classes that were mainly influenced by males. She also said that her roommate was a science major as well and they both took many of the same classes together, which made her studies easier and helped her to stick with the major.

Interview 2

This interviewee wishes to remain anonymous. "I am currently a junior at Wheaton College with a double major in the sciences. I have a double major in Chemistry and Bioinformatics. I have always had interest in the Women in Science House since last year when the idea for the theme house came about. My personal interest in the house is not only that fact that it unify women in the science under a common goal of succeeding but also the house provides a support system for diverse group of women in the sciences.
Being a woman of color and having a double major in the sciences have caused me to face endless academic struggles on the Wheaton campus. In being given the opportunity to like in an environment where the individual living in the same household can support and encourage me to excel in my studies will help alleviate many academic struggles that I face in the classrooms.
I have always sought academic advice for science courses from older science major classmen and younger science major classmen have sought academic advice from me. Now that I am going to be a senior next fall I want to help in creating an environment where I can fully support women like myself in the sciences and also receive academic support the household residences. " I have nothing to add, this statement speaks for itself. I must state that the sciences is not easy and when you have women who have their plans set on becoming a science major as a freshman, I feel that these freshmen need to be encouraged and supported to pursue their career. This interviewee stayed with the science discipline because she had a support group, and she also formed relationships with other female individuals in her class who are majoring in the sciences as well.

My Calling

Growing up as a woman I was taught to be nurturing and caring as many other women depending on their cultural practice and beliefs. It was the norm and it was what was acceptable in my culture for women to know how to be caring ad nurturing. As a woman we are suppose to care for, nurture, and support our men. But one thing that was not intervened with was education. Education was a way to gain knowledge and pursue whatever goals we dreamt of achieving. Women had the right to an education. When I was younger it seems as if I was the only girl in the neighborhood, because I was always hanging out with the boys, but I was forbidden to take part in their daily games and activities. Young girls were not suppose to be running around and playing with boys and their toy soldiers and trucks. I was suppose to be wearing skirts and dresses playing playing inside the house with dolls and learn to cook and do other house chores such as cleaning. One thing I was allowed to do was get first aid supplies when one of the boys got hurt from falling out a tree or playing too rough and got a open wound. I was always intrigued and anxious when they got hurt and needed medical attention, because this was my way of playing with them, or at least to me. I love to play doctor, and each time they got hurt it was always intriguing to me and I always found it experimental and wanted to learn more about their different injuries, which were usually strains, sprains, cuts, and sometimes concussions. These injuries seem so fascinating to me, and I was always looking up different kinds of treatment in a Merck handbook and a natural medicine handbook that belong to my mom at the time. This was how I knew that I wanted to be a doctor in the future. Also to encourage my career path I was always watching a CSI, Murder She Wrote, or Law and Order TV show episode after episode. I always pick one character in the show and explain why I wanted to be like them and I never failed to talk about the character and their role in the show even though my family might have watch the shows with me, even if they were repeats.