STEM fields have seriously stiff competition when it comes to getting the attention of today’s youth. We can’t afford to create obstacles, and denouncing Pretty Curious or similar ideas as frivolous only feeds the very stereotyping that the hyper-politically correct are so adamantly trying to stamp out.

No one person or program can appeal to everyone–and I think this is the most important take-away here. We (in STEM fields, in the USA) seem pretty comfortable with programs aimed at increasing access to STEM fields for low-income students, or African-American students, or Latinos, etc. If a program can successfully draw girls and young women into STEM fields, we should be applauding that equally.

Now if you’ll excuse me I will go back to sneaking kinesiology and nutritional science lessons to 7 year olds who like dancing, while also getting them to like and appreciate their bodies for their capabilities to move and dance, and encouraging them to recognize the connections between exercise, diet, and energy/mood in a scientific way.

Oh I’m sorry I misspoke there, “glorified babysitting.” I’ll get back to “glorified babysitting.”