Curricula

Activities & Experiences

Fear and The Magic Hat

All Levels

Narrative

In learning situations most students face some type of fear -- whatever fear that may be. That fear may become a critical juncture where the learning process may be derailed. This experience is designed to provide participants a chance to face their fears, realize they are not alone in their fears and to create a positive way to face those learning obstacles.

	Objectives Create a forum for studying the contributions to STEM of women throughout history. Develop personal and educational empowerment skills for young women. Develop sensitivities for students of both genders to career options decision-making for girls and women Increase awareness of possible careers and career paths in the STEM professions. Materials Needed The Gender Chip A large hat A way to post all the index cards on paper or walls Index cards One piece of construction paper per participant Markers

Guided Experience
Each participant will need a marker, one piece of construction paper and one index card. After or before viewing the film, offer the participants the chance to think about what their greatest career dream is. Then ask them to think about what they fear might happen in the pursuit of that dream. Then offer them the chance to write down their biggest fear on their index card. (No names!!!) Have them fold their fears in half and place them in the hat.

Participants then have the opportunity to hear each fear read aloud. Possible conversations might center on: How each fear might be faced, supports that learners might access, positive phrases to counter the negative fears.

To offer participants an opportunity to see their strengths as well as their fears, ask each participant to place their name in big bold letters on the construction paper. Each participant will have the opportunity to write one strength about each person in the room on the paper with that person's name on it. After the paper is passed around and reaches it's original owner, ask each person to take the time to read and reflect on what was written. They might want to consider if this collection of words is how they see themselves and how their strengths might help overcome their fears.

De-brief questions

• What role does fear play in a career decision-making process?
• What did the young women in the film fear?
• How did they overcome the fears?
• Who can young women who wish to purse STEM learning turn to for support?
• What is the difference in talking to yourself with a positive or a negative voice?
• As mentors, how do our fears influence the advice we give?

Ideas

Challenge by Choice

Challenge by choice is an outdoor education phrase that reminds participants that they may choose to do edgework and push the limits of their comfort zone. This phrase often helps participants choose to take part in activity because it empowers them to choose. It also respectfully offers participants a choice not to participate. For more information please see Processing the Experience in the resources section.