Smart Is Cool

I THOUGHT THIS ARTICLE IS INTERESTING BECAUSE BEING SMART BECOMES "UNCOOL" STARTING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL. I WILL HAVE GIRLS START STRONG IN MY CLASS AND THEN BY SECOND QUARTER THEIR GRADES START TO DROP AND THEIR ATTITUDES CHANGE (THEY SUDDENLY DON'T KNOW THE ANSWERS IN CLASS) AS THEY FOCUS ON BOYS AND THEIR SOCIAL LIFE. WHEN I HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM, SOME OF THEM EXPRESS HOW IT IS NOT COOL TO BE PERCEIVED AS SMART. THIS STIGMA HAS ALSO AFFECTED BOYS IN MY CLASSROOM AS WELL WHEN THEY WANT TO BE PART OF THE "POPULAR" GROUP.

Smart Is Cool: My Change Nation Interview with Ana Henao

Intelligence is not just about book smarts. It's about using all your tools—all your skills, all your smarts and anything you learn along the way—to help you reach your goals. That's according to Ana Henao, one of three co-founders of "Smart is Cool," a movement that seeks to redefine smart and set a new standard for cool at college campuses across the U.S. "The most fashionable thing you wear is your intelligence," says Henao, quoting the community's motto.

Why don't girls see smart as cool? Henao blames the media, pointing out that many of the stars they look up to don't make the smartest choices. "There may be the Lindsays and the Britanys," she says, "but [girls need to see that] there are also all of these women who have accomplished such great things by being smart." Stories of inspirational women will appear on the Smart Is Cool web site and are being compiled for an upcoming book, which I am honored to be a part of.

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