Spotlight on Digital Media And Learning

12.23.11 | We’ve written quite a bit this year about programs encouraging girls in computer science and other STEM fields. While you might be done with your holiday shopping, these gift ideas from Hardy Girls, Healthy Women include activities and websites that could be fun to explore over the holiday break.

Erector sets, the game Blokus and a subscription to New Moon magazine, which is geared for tweeners age 8-12, all make the list. I’m a big fan of New Moon—not only does it focus on girls’ creativity with reader-submitted art, poems and articles, but it doesn’t shy away from tackling issues like sexist advertising and stereotypes.

My niece, who is almost 9, loves the ad-free website that subscribers have access to. Moderated by New Moon staff, it encourages friendly, positive interaction with other members, which is important for learning how to responsibly take part in online communities and early literacy in using digital media.

We had fun together creating her profile, which includes favorite foods, school activities and what she wants to be when she gets older (currently torn between acting or becoming a karate instructor).

Hardy Girls, Healthy Women also suggests Princess Free Zone, a site that sells t-shirts that are more grrrl than girly. It’s not just apparel, though—Princess Free Zone features an informative blog with posts like this one imagining what an astronaut makeover would include (as an alternative to the ubiquitous princess makeovers, complete with tiara). Princess Free Zone creator Michele Yulo discovered that NASA has an app that enables you to save an image of yourself in a spacesuit—a fun activity for all kids. Check out the post, along with Yolo’s daughter, ready for lift-off.

Unfortunately, not all science kits are created equal. Janet D. Stemwedel, an associate professor of philosophy at San José State University, has a great post at Scientific American about pinked-up science kits that use beauty products and perfumes to spark girls’ interest. 

“For all I know, putting science kits in pink boxes is an excellent strategy to get them to fly off the shelves, but I am not convinced that it is a good strategy when it comes to getting girls interested in science,” writes Stemwedel. “Indeed, I worry that whatever interest in science kits like these might cultivate might come with baggage that could actually make it harder for girls (and the women they become) to pursue scientific education and careers.”

Here’s a follow-up on why gendered science kits aren’t doing boys any favors, either.