How Dominoes Helped Make Me a Mathematician

When I was about nine years old, my father taught me how mathematical proofs work. At a time when governments around the world are struggling to narrow the gender gap in math and science, I figure the experience is worth sharing — because I’ve never felt more empowered by anything since.

Both my parents are mathematicians. As they raised me and saw what a math nerd I was becoming, they did a good job of not forcing it. They knew that the more I thought of it as a fun game, the more likely I’d love it as much as they did and actually want to do it. This strategy ended up working really well.