Fun example and certainly one that could and should be used to
encourage interest in STEM among girls. While the math may play
out, I like your mom's version that the slippers were magic.
Afterall, some fairy tales are better left to just that--fairy
tales. Beth, I agree. Its cool to use engineering to solve old
and new problems. Its also important to maintain a creative
mindset through imagination foster by fairytales. Also, the
problem illustrates that not only men are good engineers but
women as well. This problem should be presented to the Myth
Busters to validate the math behind the solution. Your point
about the King Kong example got me thinking that using these
well indoctrinated, childhood stories as a basis to explore
engineering concepts and mathematical theories could actually be
a solid way to introduce kids, boys and girls, to what's
possible in an engineering career. I'm not sure they'd hold
ground for those who've moved beyond the introductory stage, but
by exposure, they could definitely spark