Being Geek Chic is a blog about one woman navigating the male-dominated industries of production and tech. It's written by Elizabeth Giorgi, Founder, CEO and Director of Mighteor - one of the world's first internet video production companies. Learn more about Mighteor here.
There are so many parts of our education system that separate girls from the pack. Make them feel like they’re not good enough. When it comes to math, specifically, the science backs them up. That’s why we have Leslie Gilbert here today. She is the founder of MathKit, a set of hands-on math games to help families build girls’ confidence and skills. Check out her Kickstarter for MathKit games and help her meet the funding goal by the Friday December 11 deadline, and bring this vision of playful math learning to life!
Want to empower your girl? Teach her math.
Math confidence and skills keep the future open for girls. When they grow up, they will know they can study anything. They can understand statistics and personal finances. They can protect themselves from predatory lenders and question politicians who manipulate data.
Math is still suffering from a gender gap.
A study in Science indicates that girls in elementary school succeed in math at the same level as boys, but have more difficulty later with complex problem-solving.. Though performance is the same, researchers have found important differences in elementary girls’ self-perception. Even when girls are succeeding at the same level as boys, they self-assess as having lower ability. Girls underestimate themselves.
Girls also have higher levels of math anxiety, regardless of performance. A study of 5th-graders also showed that the kids most likely to give up on a difficult math problem are high-achieving girls.
The true goal of math–learning reasoning skills and understanding the number system–can become distorted in elementary school. Kids think that math speed = intelligence. Math becomes a race to the right answer. This is particularly harmful to girls, many of whom are drawn to other learning styles and dislike speed rote memorization.
Put the M back in STEM play at home.
Many popular toys inspire young girls to engage in science, technology, and engineering. A recent article from Forbes calls STEM toys for girls a hot new trend. (STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). By all means, let’s get girls playing with robots, doing science experiments, and learning about future careers. A close look at STEM toy lists, however, reveals very few toys that focus on math learning.
Mathematics is foundational, but it is still a difficult subject for parents to support well at home. Many parents are uncomfortable with math, and they justifiably worry that they are going to give that math anxiety to their kids. Other parents simply need help getting started.
To empower girls, play math with them.
I am a college math teacher and the mother of a second grade girl. I want to help families set girls up for success in math by playing games together. Through games, families can teach girls how to embrace and work through mistakes, relax with math, and try harder problems. Math can stop being an intelligence test, with all the associated stress.
We cuddle up with wonderful books to make reading welcoming. Let’s reimagine family math as thoughtful, playful, and social – a safe space for girls to learn.
Let’s teach our girls that they can learn ANYTHING, especially math.
I’m a female CEO. In production. That caters to tech companies. This intersection of tech + production means I’m rare. Add the fact that I’m the boss onto all this and I’m like a pigeon with peacock tails. As a result, I hear a lot of weird shit. Weird shit I don’t want to hear anymore. So I thought I’d helpfully create a list.
1. Are you the Founder?
*This is almost always after I have introduced myself to them as, “Hi, I’m Liz, the founder of Mighteor.” I don’t know how to make it more clear that I am, in fact, the founder of my company.
2. Do you want to have a family?
*Most humans do. Did you ask the male founder over there that question?
3. Do you have men on your team?
*Yes. Of course I do. I also have women.
4. Do you have a technical counterpart?
*I operate cameras and edit and animate. I am technical. What is the counterpart to that? Production is a technical thing.
5. So is this a female empowerment thing?
*Seriously?
6. Are you the makeup artist?
*Fun fact: I know just as many male makeup artists as female makeup artists. They are are tremendously talented at their job. Their gender has nothing to do with it.
7. Oh no, you’re the hairdresser?
*See above. Same thing applies.
8. Do you want to get someone who can help me with this shot?
*I am the director. I approve shots. I will help you with the shot.
9. When will you have a family?
*See number 2.
10. How long do you want to do this startup thing?
*This one almost always comes on the tails of questions 2 or 9. I assume it’s because people think I will quit when I want to have a family.
That’s just my very quick list of things I’ve been asked in the last 6 months. I’d be curious to know if other women out there can add onto the list. I think we should. Consider this our PSA: things you don’t need to say to women in tech. Or production. Or tech production! Or in entrepreneurship!
Some people have asked why this is even a thing: It’s a thing because this is coded language. In the strictest sense: when you look at it as a series of words and punctuation, it doesn’t read as any kind of sexist or inflammatory language. But when taken in context with the larger questions at hand, it becomes clear that I’m being asked these questions BECAUSE I am a woman.
Together, we can make the world a little less ignorant.
Are you going to Comic Con for the first time? Are you a geek girl? An SDCC first-timer can find all the madness ridiculously exhausting and scary. Believe me, I remember feeling comatose by the end of my first SDCC. But here’s the thing, it’s the best weekend you may have all year. The best place to start is to check out my friend Megan (aka The Nerdy Girlie)’s full San Diego Comic Con guide, which can be found here.
After that, I’ve compiled the best things for you to attend based on nerd girl love. In other words, this is where I’ll probably be most of the week:
Thursday, July 9th:
10AM: Wrath of the Con Bloggers Panel featuring The Nerdy Girlie in Room 14A. They’ll be talking about how to tackle Comic Con and get the most out of it, so it’s a perfect way to start your weekend.
1PM: Geek and Sundry Presents with Felicia Day in the Indigo Ballroom.
Felicia will give a sneak peek into her book, ‘You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost)’.
Geek and Sundry is also teaming up with SmrtGirls for a PetCo Park extravaganza this year! You definitely don’t want to miss that. Details here.
5PM: The Most Dangerous Women at Comic Con in Room 25ABC. This is all about badass female villains and who doesn’t love a girl who does bad things.
6PM: Her Universe Fashion Show with Hot Topic at Grand Hyatt. Check out some of the high fashion designs. This is a ticketed event, so you want to get yours in advance. Details here.
8PM: The Geeks Go Glam party will be hosted at the San Diego Public Library and it’s where you’ll find me! So, hoorah. Some tickets are still available. Get those at GeeksGoGlam.com So what will be happening? How about a very cool brand hosting fashion show! (Will announce soon!) And free Kombucha! And gift bags from WattPad! And musical guest sponsored by High Voltage Magazine. And a Geek Girl’s Guide to the Galaxy photobooth brought to you by Quirk Books. And SO, SO much more.
Friday, July 10th:
9AM: Hello Kitty Foodtruck in the Gaslamp Quarter. Again, technically showing up all weekend, but I am betting they run out of cute cat eared food before the weekend is through, so hit it up early! Details here.
12PM: Babes of the Force Cosplay Photoshoot at Embarcadero Park South. If you’re a cosplayer, this is a fun way to get some quality photos and do it with other cool female cosplayers. Details here.
1PM: The business of Geek Fashion in 14A. Lots of our favorite people are on this panel and we know Lisa Granshaw (reporter, Daily Dot) will treat the topic well and make sure ladies fashion gets its proper attention.
3:30 You Do What? Women Working in Film Production Panel in 23ABC. This panel is all about the various roles women can take on in media, including directing. Details here.
5PM: Fashionably Nerdy Cocktail Hour and Mixer at Grand Hyatt Hotel’s Lobby Bar. Wear your cutest nerd girl outfit and have a cocktail with like-minded ladies. We can’t argue with that. Details here.
7PM: SherlockeDCC 2015 hosted by The Baker Street Babes (Sorry! We’re sold out! We hope you have your tickets so you can see us!)
Saturday, July 11th:
10AM: Orphan Black Clone Club Meetup at House of Blue. Apparently we’re all celebrating Allison’s election! Hooray. Details here.
11AM: Belle Boutique’s Pop-up Show in the Gaslamp Quarter is offering a freebie to visitors each day at 11. They are offering freebies every day, but I am choosing Saturday because it’s a light day for other wins. And who doesn’t love Snoopy! Details here.
3:45PM: Women Who Kick Ass in Hall H. This will probably be impossible to get into, but if you’re in there, go you! It was an epic panel last year and it’s always worth checking out Hall H once in your life if you can.
7:30PM: Legend of Zelda Symphony of the Goddesses at Jacobs Music Center’s Copley Symphony Hall. These game/classical music mashups are always so much fun. Plus, it’s funny to see a bunch of nerds in shorts at Symphony Hall. It’s pricey, but worth it. Plus, it’s lady themed this year! Details here.
Sunday, July 12th:
8AM: The Cat Cafe mingle time with kitties! This event is actually going on all weekend and benefits the local cat shelters in San Diego, but I feel like the last day is when I’ll need it most. Details here.
10AM: The Baker Street Babes will be recording a live podcast at BAMF Fest at Ruocco Park. We’ll be talking about the new sneak preview of the next season of Sherlock and Sir Ian McKellan’s new movie, along with other frivolities. Details here.
12:30PM: Women of Color in Comics Panel at the San Diego Public Library. What better way to spend your last few hours of the Con than thinking about the many beautiful creators in the comics space? Details here.
If you’ve read my Twitter feed at any point in the last year, you’ve probably noticed that there is one hashtag I use more than any other.
#GIRLBOSS
And it’s for good reason. As a female CEO of a tech company, I spend a lot of time trying to run my business. And I am really damn proud of that fact. It’s not easy. But it’s also SO MUCH EASIER because of the amazing women in my life. And a lot of times, those women are clients who are also Girl Bosses.
When I met the women behind iBesties, I was impressed by two things: first, they were trying to tackle a market that is full of problems. I could write a novel about the problems with Bratz and Barbies, but I will spare us all. Second, they weren’t just trying to make dolls, they were trying to tell a story and really bring little girls a new perspective.
Obviously, it was my honor to do the video for their Kickstarter campaign. During the shooting days, I honestly found myself thinking: would I have become a CEO sooner if I had something like this when I was a little girl? I didn’t know my dream was possible until I met other women who did it. And that’s why we need this. And I’m happy to report that their campaign is now live.
If you have a daughter, cousin, niece or just know an amazing little girl - please go check out their campaign and consider pre-ordering an iBesties book or doll or both.
The world needs more future Girl Bosses. The best way to do that? Help little girls see that it’s possible.
I know it’s not nice to brag, but sometimes a nerdy girl must. The truth is, a smart girl is just better at things. Life things. Work things. Fun things. Friend things. Game things. Just things. And I’m not afraid to show that off to other people. That’s why I made this:
Post this at your desk. On your wall. At work. Whenever someone walks in, they’ll know not to mess with you. Instead, they’ll ask what you’re reading.
Did you know there are lots of other great free printables in the Being Geek Chic archives? Check out (and download or print!) all those here.
