Stereotypes and Science Kits

Janet Stemwedel (Adventures in Science and Ethics) is dismayed by the science kits marketed to girls: "Spa Science", "Perfumary Kit", "The Beauty of Science", "Creative Cosmetics"

Honestly, I can't think of a better way to make a girl in grade school question whether she'll have any interest in or aptitude for science than to present her with a "science for girls" kit. The message seems to be, "Look, there's a bit of science that will interest even you. (And go put on some lipstick!)" Heaven knows, we couldn't even get girls interested in building Rube Goldberg machines, or launching water-rockets, or studying the growth of plants or the behaviors of animals, or blowing stuff up.

Check out her post for sites with experiments for both girls and boys interested in chemistry.