Inspiring Students at the Girls Inc. STEM Fest
With a “Selfie With Scientist” booth and a DNA experiment, graduate students engaged STEM students of all ages at the Girls. Inc Rock It Into The Future Science Festival.
The 10th annual science festival was organized by Girls Inc. and featured hands-on science activities and workshops to encourage girls ages 6 to 18 to participate in STEM by exploring, asking questions and solving problems at festival activity booths.
The goal of the festival is to create a positive and encouraging environment and the opportunity to interact with women and men in STEM fields.
Graduate students Angie Salinas, Paul Dowell, Mariam Ishaque, Rafael Gutierrez, Alison Clark, Milos Markovic, Liz Fisher, and Crystal Archer helped staff the booths.
A special shout out to Liz and Rafael for manning the experiment booth; Crystal, Mariam and Alison for manning the “Selfie with a Scientist” booth; and Milos, Paul and Angie for manning the main GSBS booth and answering people’s questions about what it means to be a researcher. A super special thanks to Liz Hassan for coming up with the experiment idea and getting all the supplies.
Quotes:
“I enjoyed running the experiment booth- watching the reaction of
the kids when they were swishing the salt water, they really didn’t like it.
But when they finally got to see their DNA- most of them were really excited,
and I enjoyed watching that. I think events encouraging girls at a young age to
get excited about science is important. I was involved in a
year-long girls in science program in elementary school, and I think that
is what really started me down the path of where I am now. I would definitely
participate again,” Liz Fisher said.
“This was my first Girls Inc. event, and it was great to see girls of all ages encouraged
to just be themselves and have fun experiencing new things with their
families. I love the overall message that young children, especially girls, should not let anyone or
anything limit their potential,” Crystal Archer said.
“It was wonderful to see the children’s interest in science,
especially at such young ages. I really enjoyed interacting with them and
seeing them excited to wear lab coats, goggles, etc. I think it was a
great event and would definitely want to be involved again!,” Mariam Ishaque said.
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