While tutoring and teaching math, Kirin Sinha noticed that when stumped, boys would often say, “I don’t understand,” while girls would tend to say, “I can’t understand.” She created Shine For Girls to address that gender gap. Shine for Girls is a free, 8-week after-school program that equips middle-school girls with abilities, interest, and confidence in mathematics. It does so through a unique combination of mentorship, kinesthetic learning through dance, and customized online instruction. The program is taught by MIT undergraduate women who are math mentors — many of whom are trained in dance and dance instruction. In the Boston area, the program runs Monday afternoons, February 23-May 11, from 3:30 (or 4PM at the latest) until 6PM at the MIT Student Center Mezzanine Lounge (3rd Floor), 84 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge. Applications are open to girls in the greater Boston area and are due February 13. For more information, see the Shine for Girls/Boston page and FAQs, or email shineboard@mit.edu. The program is free for all students. Tax-deductible donations are most welcome via Paypal on the Shine for Girls site.