SciGirls Seven tip: “Girls gain confidence and trust in their own reasoning when encouraged to think critically.”

  • "Support an environment free of "instant answers."
    • By working through a problem, girls will experience a sense of achievement and confidence that will increase their motivation to learn. When you simply give kids the solution, you rob them of the chance to think for themselves.
    • Address girls’ anxiety about not getting the answer by refocusing their attention on the problem at hand. Build on what they do know to move forward.
  • ›Think like scientists and engineers.
    • It is okay to make mistakes; there is more than one way to solve a problem.
    • Experimentation may never lead to an answer, but rather to new questions.
    • Practice developing alternative explanations for results.
  • Meet a question quota.
    • Insist on each girl asking a certain number of questions each day.
  • ›It’s okay to disagree.
    • Stress the importance of considering different approaches and viewpoints.
    • When disagreements arise, allow each girl to voice her viewpoint while all others listen and record the main points. Remind girls of the importance of using solid evidence when making a claim. Consensus may be difficult and perhaps unnecessary, but listening to one another is important."
  • All SciGirls Seven tips are "Girl Focused & Boy Friendly!"