Girls Rock Math summer camps: Welcome, new WSB sponsor

(8/14 note: To check whether a business is still a current WSB sponsor, please go here)

Spring arrives and many families’ thoughts turn to … summer camps! A unique West Seattle camp program has just joined the WSB sponsor team, and Jessica Johnson wants you to know all about her program Girls Rock Math.

First, a bit about Jessica, who says her camps are fulfilling a dream she never knew she had! “As a girl, I loved math until 3rd grade, when we focused on memorizing our multiplication tables. At that time, I struggled. I recall crying as we practiced flashcards at home, unable to remember the facts, and hiding my papers in class- embarrassed that I didn’t pass. I never found a love of math again until I was getting my Masters in Education and learned about how people actually learn mathematical concepts! Now I know that studies show that girls perform better on tasks that involve problem solving, and often get more correct answers, but tend to work more carefully and slowly than boys.”

Fast-forward to what she is going to be doing in West Seattle this summer:

“I’m really excited to be offering Girls Rock Math camps for girls entering 1st through 6th grade, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in July and August. Our camps are arts-based, social, and collaborative, mirroring the ways that may girls learn best. Each week has a different theme- from famous artists to fashion design- with mathematics concepts ranging from counting to algebra.

“My goal is to empower girls to feel confident in their math abilities, and develop a love of math! Studies have shown that girls lose interest in math as they get older due to the social stigma that math is ‘for boys.’ Girls Rock Math is dedicated to helping girls find meaning and joy in mathematics through creative, playful and meaningful math exploration.” Find out how to enroll, at girlsrockmathematics.com. (And check out the coupon on the WSB Coupons page!)

We thank Girls Rock Math for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

9 Replies to "Girls Rock Math summer camps: Welcome, new WSB sponsor"

  • wsmama3 April 6, 2012 (4:54 pm)

    That is awesome. Only I have 3 boys. :)

  • The Velvet Bulldog April 6, 2012 (5:18 pm)

    Can 40 year-old “girls” sign up??? I still suck at math.

  • Bill April 6, 2012 (5:59 pm)

    Here’s a web site you’ve got to include.

    Doodling in Math: Spirals, Fibonacci, and Being a Plant [1 of 3]

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahXIMUkSXX0&feature=share

  • add April 6, 2012 (6:22 pm)

    Very cool. I just read this great article about considering a new bedtime ritual of math problem-solving instead of/in addition to reading stories!
    http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/story/2012-03-28/bedtime-math-students-schools/53809996/1?loc=interstitialskip

  • g's mom April 6, 2012 (9:00 pm)

    Is this for girls only? I have a little boy that can use some help!

  • Aim April 6, 2012 (9:10 pm)

    My dad and I played math games from the time I was about two years old, every night. He had age-appropriate flash cards for me, and we played games based on math all the time. As a result, I was GREAT at math but never enjoyed it in school, likely for many of the reasons you list above. I got A’s effortlessly, but it was BO-RING! I ended up a psych major.

    …now I’m a corporate accountant and do a whole lot of algebra on a daily basis. I love it and find it fascinating, due to all the puzzle-solving. And I still do it in my head too fast to be able to “show my work.” I’d love to get involved.

  • Yeah-me April 7, 2012 (10:00 am)

    How fab! I’ve got to sign my math girl up!

  • Ann April 9, 2012 (3:59 pm)

    One of my worst experiences was in 5th grade when they had a record that played “arithmetic” problems and we had to write the answers on a sheet of paper. I couldn’t do it. At least with flash cards you have a visual clue! It wasn’t until 7th grade that they tested me and found out I actually had a “math” aptitude.

    There is a big difference between math and arithmetic. You can use calculators and estimation to do arithmetic; you have to understand how numbers work to do math. I hope you are focusing on the latter.

    Do you need any volunteers to help you in your endeavors this summer? If so, how do you get connected?

    Thanks and good luck!

  • Jessica April 18, 2012 (10:44 am)

    Ann- Yes, we are definitely focusing on “math” not arithmetic! The focus is problem-solving, logic, reasoning and number play. I want kids to come to understand that math is not the same as skill drills :)

    I’m having an open house on May 6th at Youngstown from 2-4 for anyone interested in finding out more!

    Jessica

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