Changing the Face of Science

Written by Alliance for Girls member, Scientific Adventures for GirlsWhen we usually think of a scientist, we think of someone in a lab coat with an upper-leveldegree in a prestigious field. When I told my students to draw who they thought a scientistlooked like, this is usually what they draw. They drew someone else, an adult mixing chemicalsor writing in a notebook. However, one student drew themselves, conducting a colorfulexperiment in her own lab coat. She told me she wanted to be a scientist when she grew up, butone thing I wanted her to understand is that she is already a scientist, now. When youngchildren ask a million questions about the world around them, they are already being a scientist.The goal at Scientific Adventures for Girls (SAfG) is to make science more accessible to allyoung girls in hopes that they develop a positive relationship with science and feel included inthe field. Through making hypotheses, conducting experiments, and noting observations, ourgirls are truly being prepared to excel in STEM.This year, SAfG is offering three sessions at our 18 school sites in the Oakland/Richmondareas: Chemistry, Engineering, and Environmental Science. All programming is hands-on andwe touch on an array of fun, engaging topics, while also demonstrating the science. Forexample, in our Chemistry classes, students are learning about the difference betweenexothermic and endothermic reactions while also conducting the reactions themselves usingsafe household chemicals. We made fizzy and foamy reactions with baking soda, citric acid,and dish soap as well as used electrostatic forces to charge up a plastic spoon and use it toattract pepper. We hope that we can give our girls a head start in science and overall gainconfidence in themselves to excel in any subject that sparks their interest. If you would like toknow more about our organization or how to get involved, please visit scientificadventures.org.SAfG is a 501c3 in the East Bay Area with a mission to remove systemic barriers to all girls’participation in STEM starting in kindergarten, engage them through hands-on learning,increase their positive attitudes toward STEM, and equip them with 21st century skills.