Tonight at 7:30pm sharp, we’re surprising the bar patrons at the Artful Dodger in Philadelphia and bringing them a little science with their Monday Night Football! It’s the big Eagles-Redskins game!

I’ll be joined by Science Cheerleaders Allison (recent captain of the Eagles Cheerleaders who holds degrees in biology and chemistry) and Erin (recent St. Louis Rams cheerleader working on her PhD) and, ready? Professor Rhonda Hughes from Bryn Mawr College who played a big role in this Science of NFL Football segment about vectors!

Erin

Allison

We’re going to take over the bar for 15 minutes of science, football, procheerleaders and a hell of a lot of fun.
We’ll roll the video, talk about vectors, and encourage folks to check out the other nine Science of NFL Football segments, presented by the National Science Foundation and produced by NBC Sports and NBC Learn in partnership with the National Football League…all while challenging stereotypes and getting people jazzed about science!
This event is a preamble to the Philadelphia Science Festival.
The–now famous–Science Cheerleaders, will  be making a series of surprise pub visits. Want us to come to your favorite pub to sprinkle a little science? Let us know!

As part of our continuing effort to playfully challenge stereotypes and inspire young women to consider careers in science, technology, engineering, math, and health, we present Jennifer! Jennifer was a star pro-cheerleader for the Tennessee Titans. Now, she’s an automotive engineer at Nissan. She’s got a great message to share.

S.C.: When did you first became interested in engineering?

 Can you recall who inspired you?
Jennifer: My Father. I remember sitting at home with my dad as he worked on anything and everything that was broken. He had an itch to fix. He worked on cars, electronics, instruments, you name it. I thought he was the smartest person in the world. I eventually developed a desire to be like him, a “problem solver.” And, really, that’s what engineers are! I should add that my father didn’t just solve mechanical or electrical problems. He also fixed our familial problems, and, quite frankly, we had plenty.

S.C.: What  type of engineer are you?
Jennifer: Manufacturing (Mechanical). I’m a central engineer at Nissan.

S.C.: What turned you on to this particular field?
Jennifer: I have a crazy interest in physics and heat transfer.

S.C.: We’ll get back to that in a moment! Which team(s) did you cheer for and when?
Jennifer: Tennessee Titans –NFL – 2001-2006; Nashville Kats – Arena – 2003-2006; Nashville Predators – Hockey – 2007-2009

S.C.: Do you find that your looks (or being a former cheerleader) helped or hindered your studies or professional experiences? (Were you taken seriously?)
Jennifer: Both. Initially, I was not taken seriously and the bar was set pretty low. Once I proved my competency and desire to achieve, I gained respect from my colleagues and superiors.  On the flip side, my former hobby also proved to be an ice-breaker during many initial professional  encounters.  See, everyone  loves the home team and everyone wants to talk to someone who they feel has the “in” or behind the scenes “top secret” info!

S.C.: Tell me a little about your favorite courses you took to prepare for your work. Let’s get back to the heat transfer!
Jennifer: I LOVE physics and the study of dynamics. I excelled in these courses, but I have to say I favored thermodynamics (shout out to Dr. Decatur Rodgers!). He not only wanted to produce great technical engineers, but also, what he called “life” engineers. His wisdom reminded me of my father, I suppose.

S.C.: Can you describe a “typical day” at work?
Jennifer: I wish I could, but you never know what to expect in the automotive industry. I have had responsibilities from root-causing current production process concerns, to studying new model part additions and modifications that have yet to go into production.

S.C. I have no idea what that all means but I’m glad you do. Here’s a key question: Do you have any advice for middle or high school girls who might feel torn between following one dream (cheerleading or dancing) associated with beauty and  following another (science/engineering/medicine) usually associated with, well, geeks?
Jennifer: Never feel torn. Learn the value of time management and you will understand that ALL of your goals are within reach. Time management really is about balance. So is your own identity.  You are not defined by one adjective.  You love to dance? Then be a dancer. You love to cheer? Then be a cheerleader. You also love science? Then be a scientist or at the very least, embrace that passion, too. If you love  them all…DO THEM ALL! And, seriously, girls, let’s be real.  Guys love cute geeks! J

S.C.: At the risk of getting a little corny here, is there other advice you would give your former 12-year-old self, now that you have the benefit of hindsight?
Jennifer: Absolutely. Don’t look back or place blame on other people or situations for why you aren’t happy, etc.  Never listen to “never,” be kind,  love all, and stay focused and committed. Bottom line is that integrity will take you further than you can possibly imagine right now. Don’t give up on your dreams.

S.C.: Best cheerleading experience?
Jennifer: Easy: 1. My entire experience as the 2007 Tennessee Titans Probowl cheerleader 2. Getting the opportunity to tour Hawaii, Japan,  Guam, and Korea as a cheerleader for the troops.

S.C.: Best engineering-related experience?
Jennifer: Funny you should ask that. Just recently, the vice president of manufacturing at my plant mentioned me during her speech at the Southern Automotive Women’s Forum. That was incredible for me.

S.C.: Cool! Anything you’d like to add that you want our readers to know?
Jennifer: Yes, and I know this might not resonate with all of your readers, but, I know my faith in God has brought me to where I am now. I owe it all to Him! I have dedicated my life to serving God and my community and loving others. Shout out to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and Judah Generation Dance team. Love you guys!!!

Note from S.C.: Jennifer and nine other Science Cheerleaders will be performing in Washington, D.C. Oct 23-24 as part of the U.S.A. Science and Engineering Festival. Come meet them as they inspire young women to consider careers in science, technology, engineering, math, and health! Here’s more info.

Meet Summer, a former Houston Texans cheerleader who now spends her days developing space flight hardware. This interview is part of a series of Science Cheerleader’s nationally recognized efforts to playfully challenge stereotypes.

SciCheer: Please tell me when/how you first became interested in engineering.

Summer: When I was a freshman in high school I watched Apollo 13 in my Earth Science class and felt immediately inspired to become an engineer at NASA.

SciCheer: What  type of engineer are you and what turned you on to this field?

Summer: I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering.  My interest in atmospheric flight and beyond fueled my desire to pursue Aerospace Engineering.

SciCheer: Do you find that your looks (or being a former cheerleader) helped or hindered your studies or professional experiences? (Were you taken seriously?)

Summer: I recall a few students and professors looking at me as if I were lost as I proceeded through the halls of the engineering building at school for the first few weeks.  At work, there was some negative reaction to the fact that my part-time job was on the sidelines of a football field.  It could have hindered me, had I allowed it but I pressed on and, in the end, I was taken seriously.  Beauty can be both a curse and an advantage in a woman’s professional life.

SciCheer: Tell me a little about your favorite courses you took to prepare for your work?

Summer: I absolutely loved learning engineering!  My favorite courses were Aerospace Propulsions, Space Dynamics, Aerospace Design, Flight Mechanics and Controls and Aircraft Accident Investigation.  Though my career has taken me in a direction in which I do not commonly use the technical specifics of these courses they prepared me in other ways.  The course work enhanced my critical thinking and problem solving ability as well taught me presentation skills and engineering professionalism.  The variety of classes really opened my eyes to previously unimaginable possibilities for a career in the engineering world.

SciCheer: Can you describe a “typical day” at work?

Summer: There is no typical day at work in my current position.  There is always something new, which I enjoy.  I spend 90% of my time in laboratories where engineers and technicians are working to develop and sustain space flight hardware containing electronics.

SciCheer: Do you have any advice for middle or high school girls who might feel torn between following one dream (cheerleading or dancing) associated with beauty or following another (science/engineering/medicine) usually associated with, well, geeks?

Summer: There is no reason why you cannot do both! Learn good time management skills and develop healthy habits (proper eating, sleeping & exercise) so you can physically, mentally and happily pursue the dual role.  These dreams can collide and create huge success for you.

SciCheer: Best cheerleading experience?

Summer: It is very difficult to choose one moment as my best cheerleading experience.  Aside from every game day performance, my best experiences lie in what I got to do off of the field as a cheerleader.  An appearance on ESPN Cold Pizza and 1 vs. 100 game show, starring in NFL Presents: Rocket Science, being a key note speaker at the 2009 Super Sci-Tech Saturday Conference and flying on a KC-135 during a mid-air refueling mission with the Texas Air National Guard are a few experiences that really stand out.

SciCheer: Best engineering experience?
My best engineering experience was watching the project I worked on for 4 years – International Space Station Crew Quarters – launch on Space Shuttle Endeavor in November 2008.  I stood with my project team as we watched Crew Quarters blast off on Endeavor into a beautiful night sky aiming for their final destination, the International Space Station, to be used by astronauts for years to come. It was what I deemed my first engineering success and best engineering experience.

SciCheer: Anything you’d like to add that you want people to know?

Summer: While I was earning my engineering degree I also earned my Private Pilot’s license. In addition to an academic scholarship that I received from Cessna Aircraft Company, I participated in pageants through the Miss Kansas Organization to earn scholarship dollars for my education.  The pageants involved interview, talent, swimsuit and evening gown competitions as well as promoting a platform.

SciCheer: What is your current position?

Summer: My position changed just under one year ago.  Formerly, I was a project engineer in the Crew and Thermal Systems Division at NASA – Johnson Space Center.  I currently work as the contractor Sustaining Engineering Lab Manager in the Avionic Systems Division.

SciCheer: Which team(s) did you cheer for and when?

Summer: Houston Texans – 2005, 2006, 2007

[Meet Summer and a dozen other Science Cheerleaders--procheerleaders-turned-scientist--as they perform live at the U.S.A. Science and Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C., Oct 23-24. Then, back at the Science Cheerleader/Going Pro Entertainment exhibit, get their autographs and hear first-hand how they bridged two seemingly different worlds. Interested sponsors should contact darlene@sciencecheerleader.com.]

That’s right! These four Eagles cheerleaders are big fans of science (one’s even a math geek). This past week, I interviewed these brainy cheerleaders and we talked about what sparked their love of science…and much more.  Stay tuned for that video! (Thanks to the Eagles for making this possible.)

Thanks to ace reporter Nicole Brewer at CBS 3 in Philadelphia for putting this TV news feature together. In it, she talks about our efforts here on Science Cheerleader, to increase science literacy and raise the ranks of citizen scientists. GOOOOO Science! (Here’s a companion web feature.)

This critical review of ScienceCheerleader.com is too damn funny. Check out the author’s accompanying survey: “My most notable interaction with a cheerleader involved…”

Watch as the Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders describe what Titan is and why it’s so cool. (Note: the girls speaking are current or soon-to-be scientists. Talk about sexy scientists.) Thanks, girls! I appreciate your assistance in Making Science Sexy! Next up: the 76ers Cheerleaders play a lead role in our Brain Makeover project.