Science Cheerleader

I met Natalie earlier this year in Berkeley, CA, where we meeting with other members of the Coalition for the Public Understanding of Science team. She’s beautiful, smart, passionate about science literacy, and a terrific role model for young women. But don’t take my word for it. Let’s hear from Natalie:
SciCheer: What turned you on to science?
Natalie: I always liked science classes in middle and high school, but truthfully, I always liked most of my subjects. Then in high school I got a chance to work for a summer in a research lab, and that was the experience that transformed me from someone who kind of liked science into someone who loved it. *Doing* real science made the difference and convinced me that I wanted to be a researcher. I still think that if people only knew how much fun it is to participate in science, to mull over data or to try out an experiment they’ve dreamed up, then when I tell people that I’m a biological engineer, I’d hear a lot fewer saying, “oh I hated science when I was in school.”
SciCheer: What degree(s) did you pursue for your current position?

Natalie: I studied dance and chemistry in college and then got a PhD in cell biology. And did a few years of post-doctoral training before starting in a faculty position. (more…)

It was announced today that Barbie’s newest career will be that of a Computer Engineer. Why?

“Girls who discover their futures through Barbie will learn that they – just like engineers – are free to explore infinite possibilities, and that their dreams can go as far as their imaginations take them,” said Nora Lin, President, Society of Women Engineers. “As a computer engineer, Barbie will show girls that women can design products that have an important and positive impact on people’s everyday lives, such as inventing a technology to conserve home energy or programming a newborn monitoring device.”

Barbie® designers worked with the Society of Women Engineers and the National Academy of Engineering to “ensure that accessories, clothing and packaging were realistic and representative of a real computer engineer”.

Read the full press release here. GOOOO Barbie!

Meet Sandra, a former Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader who’s now an emergency room registered nurse.

Tell us about yourself, Sandra:

I’ve always loved science. I remember receiving a telescope and microscope science kit when I was in elementary school. I think all sciences are fascinating!

My favorite classes included Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Microbiology. In fact, while in nursing school, I took a microbiology course that I loved so much, I almost quit nursing to pursue a career in microbiology.

Unlike, Michelle, the former New Orleans Saints cheerleader-turned-chemist, I wasn’t as “into” chemistry and physics compared to biological sciences.
Some people think of  Cheerleading and Science as two worlds. In my opinion, I think being a former cheerleader may have helped my career.  As cheerleaders, we are ambassadors for our organization and we must have people skills. These also happen to be terrific qualities in nursing because we are so hands-on with patients, we stand beind the hospitals we work for, and it’s important our patients feel we are rooting for their recovery.

Whether someone is considering a career in science or not, nothing in this world is more empowering than to do what you love (dance/cheer) and back it up with a good education and awesome grades. Being smart IS beautiful and dancing/cheering will give you an outlet! I’ve danced and cheered with some of the most brilliant women in this world who have gone on to become doctors, engineers, science and math teachers, and nurses.  Nothing geeky about that!

GOOOO Science!

Signed,

Sandra from Atlanta

In our continuing effort to playfully challenge stereotypes and, well, turn people onto science, we present:
The Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders-turned-scientists! Enjoy! (And GOOOOOOO EAGLES!) See how the Philadelphia 76ers Cheerleaders helped the cause and check out the Tennessee Titans cheerleaders, too. Thanks, ladies! And, of course, a big shout out to NFL’s man of science, Hugh Douglas!

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.)

Humans evolved. Shouldn’t our websites? That’s the idea behind NOVA’s new Beta Evolution website, an experimental effort to transform the way NOVA delivers its award-winning science and technology programming.

Since 1996, NOVA has pioneered new forms of web-original content with more than 30,000 pages covering anything from string theory to aviation to how the Pyrimids were built. The Beta Evolution website serves as one-stop shop for all matters evolution, including the recent three-part NOVA series, Becoming Human, which explores the latest scientific research on human origins. Over time, NOVA will rely on user feedback to help inspire new ways of designing, organizing, and presenting this content to make it more useful for viewers.

Last week, I had the opportunity to chat with Lauren Aguirre, executive director of NOVA’s Web team, about goals of the new project, the challenges of organizing 13 years of content, and her experiences at the forefront of science communications. You can listen to each individual question and answer by clicking on the audio player below. Enjoy!

This is a NASA video of Sally Ride talking about being chosen as NASA’s first female astronaut, and what it was like to ride the shuttle into space. What an experience that must have been.

I had the honor of working closely with Sally Ride several years ago, first at Space.com, then when she hired me to create a middle school science competition for Imaginary Lines, Inc. (www.SallyRideScience.com), a company she founded to support the large numbers of girls and young women who are, or might become, interested in science, math, engineering and technology.

Thanks to support from founding sponsors Hasbro and Smith College, TOY Challenge was created in a few short months. (So happy to see it’s still going strong!)

TOY Challenge is based on the belief that “toys are a great way to learn about science, engineering, and the design process! As girls and boys create a toy or game, they experience engineering as a fun, creative, collaborative process, relevant to everyday life.”

Teams of middle school students work together to dream up and design new toys. Check out last year’s winners.

Registration for the 2010 Toy Challenge is open now through November 20.

Good luck! And, thanks Sally, for all you do for girls and science.

From ScienceCheerleader.com reporter, Dr. John Ohab:

Citizen scientists, I’d like you to meet Ziya Tong, a new correspondent on the Emmy-nominated science video series, NOVA ScienceNOW. Ziya joins a NOVA program well-known for exploring important science and technology topics at the interface of politics, art, and society. So far, she’s covered areas like gene therapy, how walruses and sea lions have influenced human language, and the hunt for the earliest macromolecules. I recently had a chance to chat with Ziya about how her work in science broadcasting is creating common ground for scientists and the public.

For Ziya, it turns out that exploring far-out science topics is just another day at the office – literally! In addition to her work with NOVA, she also hosts Daily Planet, Discovery Channel Canada’s daily science show, and previously served as host and producer on PBS’ Wired Science. She even hosted a travel show, Island Escapes, during which she visited over 50 countries (approximately 45 more than me).

“I’m inspired in a new way every day,” Ziya said. “I’ve had the unique opportunity to meet, and most importantly, learn from very inspiring people.” (more…)

Today, the journal, Inside Higher Ed, released a report titled “Seeking advice on women in science.”

The report summarized yesterday’s  hearing of the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Science Education. The hearing focused on that age-old question of how to find ways to attract more female science students.

The fact that women are underrepresented in a number of STEM fields shows itself in the proportions of degrees granted to each gender. In 2006, women earned 58 percent of all bachelor’s degrees, but only 20 percent of computer science bachelor’s degrees, 21 percent of physics degrees and 20 percent of engineering degrees, according to data from the National Science Foundation.

Why should women care about this? Rep. Vern Elhers (a republican scientist –that’s right, they exist), summed it up nicely:

“The jobs of the future are going to require of workers a basic understanding of the principles of math and science. If we do not persuade women to pursue these fields, they are already [risking] cutting themselves out of a great job future,” said Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI).

What we’re talking about here are jobs in physics and engineering. Let’s not dismiss the other science areas where women outnumber men:

A recent National Science Foundation report found that women hold more than half of science and technology degrees, with women earning 77 percent of psychology degrees, 62 percent of biological sciences degrees, and 54 percent of social sciences degrees.

This should help increase our knowledge about women’s health. And, in doing the math (not my strongest subject, I am a female after all) I’m thinking those women psychologists are counseling quite a few male engineers and physicists, no? And why aren’t the guys holding conferences to find ways to get more boys interested in psychology and social sciences?

Let’s see where this bifurcation started, shall we? (more…)

Subscriber Judi found this NYTimes article via E-School News. Thanks, Judi!

In ‘Geek Chic’ and Obama, New Hope for Lifting Women in Science

I’ve pulled two particularly interesting findings from the article, followed by one suggestion from the author.

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