Mathematics in Engineering

A few weeks ago I got an unusual phone call. It was my seventh grade math teacher, whom I haven't spoken to since seventh grade, asking me to come speak to her classes about how I use math in my career. I didn't even know she remembered who I was, because in seventh grade I wasn't even really interested in math and science. And I'm pretty sure as a scared little 12-year-old, I never opened my mouth once in that class.

I of course said yes, and I was delighted to go speak to her 8th and 9th grade algebra classes. I hadn't been back to the school since seventh grade, because my family moved and I attended the rest of junior high at a different school. But the moment I walked in, I kid you not, it still smelled the same. Don't ask me how I remembered the smell...but I did.

I spoke to about 100 kids in the library for about an hour. They were attentive and fascinated, and asked lots of great questions. They made me feel "smart" for an hour or so.

{Why is it that my mom's iphone takes better photos than my point & shoot? Ugh.}

{Putting on my microphone}

Emme sat in the back with my mom, who wanted to come listen to me speak. They ate snacks and climbed on and off the chairs ad nauseum, until Emme couldn't be quiet anymore and they had to wander the halls.


Then about a week later, I got a huge manila envelope in the mail. Inside were about a hundred thank you notes, from each of the students. I sat on the floor and read them all, and some of them were really thoughtful. They talked about how they never knew engineering could be so interesting, and that math could open up so many doors. They talked about how they planned to keep taking math so they could help make the world better, and save lives.


About a week after the letters arrived, I got laid off from my job. Times our tough, and our company is small. The government has slowed its research funding drastically in the last few years, and they had to make some cut backs.

I feel like speaking to those junior high students was my last hurrah. My last chance to promote the profession I know and love, and spark some imagination into the hearts of those young kids. Especially the girls.

And on the bright side, I've got some big plans for my newfound extra time this summer. Lots of swimming & parks & zoos with Miss Emmeline, and enjoying my stay-at-home mommyhood.