The SciGirls Tallahassee Blog

Mag Lab Open House Volunteers Needed

2012-01-31T09:02:00.008-05:00

Dear SciGirls--

We are looking for volunteers for the Magnet Lab Open House! Volunteers will help us run the science tables for the day, provide information about the SciGirls camp to interested families, and help with our set up and break down. It will be a long day--but it is always fun!!!

When: Saturday, February 18th

Where: B101 Magnet Lab

Time: 9:30 am-3:30 pm

If you are interested in volunteering for all or part of the Magnet Lab Open House, please email me ASAP at molyneaux@magnet.fsu.edu

Volunteers Needed ASAP!

2012-01-30T14:50:00.003-05:00

SciGirls--we have a WFSU event where we need three volunteers!

The Florida Office of Early Learning is having their Open House and WFSU is bringing in PBS characters. WFSU would like at least three SciGirls volunteers who are willing to wear PBS character costumes.

The Office of Early Learning is in the Florida Lottery Building, 250 Marriott Drive – just off of Apalachee Parkway behind the Marriott Courtyard.

Volunteer time would be from 3-5pm on

Wednesday of this week (February 1st).

Any help would be most welcomed! The First Lady Mrs. Scott is scheduled to be there.

If you think you can volunteer please email me ASAP at molyneaux@magnet.fsu.edu

SciGirls Volunteer Opportunity

2012-01-19T09:19:00.002-05:00

Dear SciGirls,

WFSU has been involved with a special event that Molly Barron is putting together for March 24^th, called Alice in Noleland, Family Fun Day--an event for FSU faculty members and their families.

WFSU is asking for SciGirls volunteers to help them with some of their learning activities for the day.

We are currently looking for 5 volunteers to help with the event from 9:45 am - 1:00 pm.

If you are interested in helping please let me know ASAP at molyneaux@magnet.fsu.edu!

When: March 24th

Where: FSU President's House

Time: 9:45-1:00

Please keep in mind this is during spring break for Leon County schools!

SciGirls 2012 Application Online

2012-01-19T09:08:00.002-05:00

Dear SciGirls,

The SciGirls application for the 2012 summer is now online and can be accessed here: http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/students/programs/scigirls.html

The deadline for the application is April 1st and remember that you must have a teacher recommendation submitted by that deadline as well. All past SciGirls must complete an online application and get a teacher recommendation letter if they are reapplying to SciGirls.

Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Kristen

PBS--STEM Video Game Challenge

2011-12-07T09:14:00.003-05:00

Calling All SciGirls for:

The 2012 National STEM Video Game Challenge (www.stemchallenge.org) invites game-creators to create video games that excite and educate users about science, technology, engineering and math. PBS KIDS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) have partnered with leading national education organizations to sponsor the 2012 National STEM Video Game Challenge.

The contest opens November 15, 2011 and ends March 12, 2012.

The contest includes categories for middle school students, high school students, college students, and educators.

· For middle and high school students, the contest aims to support high-level thinking and 21^st century literacy skills that go into the development of a game, as well as the process of developing games.

· For college students, the focus is on creating games for children in grades pre-K through 8 to teach key STEM concepts and spark an interest in the field of game development.

For educators, the focus is on creating games for children in grades pre-K through 12 to teach key STEM concepts and spark an interest in the field

If any SciGirls would like to participate in the video game challenge, staff from the Magnet Lab or WFSU would be willing to help facilitate this. If interested please contact Kristen at molyneaux@magnet.fsu.edu ASAP!

Nasa--Aspire 2 Inspire

2011-11-22T13:24:00.003-05:00

SciGirls--

Check out this fabulous NASA website that features some fantastic videos of Women in Science: http://women.nasa.gov/a2i/

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Congratulations Claire and Trisha

2011-11-10T14:17:00.001-05:00

The SciGirls team would like to send out congratulations to the following past SciGirls:

Claire H. and Trisha M. who will be advancing to the District Science fair, after having placed in the top 3 in their science category (Clair, #1; Trisha, #3).

Good luck in the next round of competitions!

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!!!!

2011-11-08T10:30:00.011-05:00

The SciGirls Team would like to send out a HUGE THANK YOU to all of the SciGirls who volunteered at the WFSU Let's Geocache event this past weekend!

Tasha Weinstein, WFSU Education & Outreach Coordinator said "that you 'made' the event!

Thank you to:

Emmy W. , Maati M., Andrea Z., Amelia M.

Carina R., Leta A., & Melissa S.

for helping to make this event a success!

We would also like to thank all of the additional girls who were on the waiting list to volunteer. We appreciate your willingness to contribute your time and keep your eyes open for future events!

SciGirls Volunteer Opportunity

2011-10-24T12:23:00.003-04:00

Dear SciGirls and SciGirl Families,

We have an opportunity for SciGirls to volunteer at the WFSU's Let's Geocache event scheduled for:

Let's GeoCache

November 5th

9am-12pm

Lafayette Presbyterian Church

4220 Mahan Dr. Tallahassee

WFSU is looking for 5 SciGirl Volunteers. If you are interested in helping out please email me ASAP to secure your space: molyneaux@magnet.fsu.edu

To find out more about the event visit: http://www.wfsu.org/education/geojourney-for-families.php

Final SciGirl Videos

2011-08-04T12:11:00.002-04:00

The final 2011 SciGirls' videos are ready for viewing.

On the second to last day of camp, SciGirls I participated in some citizen science. They traveled to the Tallahassee Cemetery to measure the effects of erosion on tombstones. Their data was uploaded to a website where people from across the country can also upload their local data and analyze the results.

SciGirls: Old City Cemetary from SciGirls Tallahassee on Vimeo.

SciGirls II traveled to Leon Sinks to measure the height, size, and orientation of various orb weaving spider webs. They worked with Dr. Alyssa Hayes, who then helped them analyze the data to determine that each species occupied its own niche.

SciGirls 2011: Day 9 - Leon Sinks from SciGirls Tallahassee on Vimeo.

Thanks again to all of our scientists and SciGirl volunteers for making this another great summer.

TO A WONDERFUL 2011 SCIGIRLS CAMP:

2011-08-01T11:10:00.002-04:00

Dear all SciGirls and families--

We just wanted to say a quick thank you for participating in our 2011 Camp and for making it such a fabulous success!

We would also like to quickly thank all of our past SciGirls who helped to edit video footage of the camp--you did a fabulous job and I know that all of the parents loved seeing the daily footage of their kids enjoying camp.

Additionally, we would like to thank all of our scientists who took time out of their schedules to work with us this summer!

We couldn't have done it without everyone's contribution!

Thank you for helping us make SciGirls such a huge success!

SciGirls I Day 9 Old Cemetery

2011-07-28T19:16:00.002-04:00

Today SciGirls I visited the Tallahassee Old Cemetery (est. 1829) to collected data on weathered headstones. This project is one of thousands of citizen science projects that can be found on The Network for Citizen Science !

From SciGirls I Day 9 Old Cemetery

Any SciGirl who is interested in participating in citizen science can look for projects of interest on this database, follow the data collection protocols outlined for each project and then upload their data! Help out scientists worldwide by getting involved in these cool projects!

Our project data will help scientists in Australia who studying global data on acid rain through using headstone erosion as a marker for pollution. You can read more about the gravestone project here at Earthtrek-Gravestone Project. Our data will be the first data entered for the Tallahassee region! Go SciGirls I--see some of our pictures here!

SciGirls II Day 9-- Leon Sinks Ecology Investigation

2011-07-28T18:03:00.002-04:00

The 9th day for SciGirls II started at Leon Sinks with Dr. Alyssa Hakes from the FSU Biology department. Dr. Alyssa had the girls examining spider webs and the spiders living in them to see how they interacted in their environments. Our visit to the sinks was cut a little short, and the ride back to the Magnet Lab was a little soggy thanks to a surprise rainstorm we encountered. The girls seemed to have fun, though!

When we got back to the Mag Lab, the girls had lunch and hung out with a tarantula that's living at the CIRL office! After lunch everyone compiled their spiderweb data from the morning and analyzed the results using Microsoft Excel.

Check out pictures from the ecology activity here.

The day ended with a quick introduction to Trail Tracker, a brand new program run at the Tallahassee Museum. The girls will be beta testing the protocol using an iPad application to analyze the activity and behaviors of the bobcats at the museum.

Tomorrow will be an awesome day-- the perfect ending to an awesome two weeks! We look forward to seeing everyone at the Mag Lab in the morning, and don't forget about the WFSU reception tomorrow night where you'll be able to see and hear about what your daughters have been up to these past two weeks.

SciGirls in the news

2011-07-28T06:25:00.002-04:00

During our recent trip to the FSU, Panama City Campus' Underwater Forensics Program, some of our Scigirls were featured on their local news. The first was shown on station WMBB and the second on station WJHG.

Videos

2011-07-28T05:25:00.003-04:00

Our SciGirl alumni did another amazing job with these videos:

The first video shows highlights from our joint day at the FSU Panama City campus' underwater forensics program, where they worked on a facial reconstruction.

SciGirls Camp day 7 from SciGirls Tallahassee on Vimeo.

The next video is SciGirls I on there way to the biology lab.

Day 6 Scigirls Interviews/Biology Lab from SciGirls Tallahassee on Vimeo.

The final video is SciGirls I at the Antartic Research Facility on FSU's campus and at WFSU.

SciGirls Day 8: WFSU and FSU Antarctic Marine Geology Research Facility from SciGirls Tallahassee on Vimeo.

SciGirls II Day 8-- FSU Physics and Chemical Engineering

2011-07-27T19:44:00.003-04:00

Today, SciGirls II got to visit the FSU Physics department, where Dr. Sue Blessing gave them a taste of what it's like to study and research physics. In the afternoon, Dr. Anant Paravatsu introduced the girls to chemical engineering. Check out the pictures here!

Don't forget-- we'll be traveling to Leon Sinks tomorrow, so be sure to wear pants and closed-toed shoes so you don't get poison ivy!

SciGirls I WFSU & ARF

2011-07-27T17:54:00.002-04:00

SciGirls I spent an awesome day filming the SciGirls Report at WFSU and then visiting the Antarctic Research Facility! See all our photos here and prepare yourself for the SciGirls Report which will be featured at the SciGirls reception Friday night!

From SciGirls I Day 8 WFSU & ARF

Forensics Day at Panama City

2011-07-26T18:28:00.002-04:00

Today SciGirls wen to Panama City and tried to solve a crime scene and learn about facial reconstruction! Click here to see all of our pictures!

From SciGirls I Day 7 Forensics

SciGirls II Day 6-- Leon County Animal Service Center

2011-07-25T22:47:00.002-04:00

The SciGirls II ladies spent the day at the Leon County Animal Service Center with Dr. Rachel Reeves. The day started with a quick background and orientation and a tour of the facilities. After they were acquainted with the center, the girls got to witness a dog being spayed (well, most of them did) and learn about zoonotic diseases.

After lunch, the girls worked through stations dealing with different aspects of the shelter. One station had the ladies observing parasites under a microscope-- some of the slides even had live mites on them! Another station had the girls working with animal control, looking at the effects of leaving animals in the car on a hot day. At this station, some of the girls practiced putting a catheter in a (stuffed) dog. At the last station, the girls tested dogs' blood to see if the dogs had heartworm.

Check out pictures from the day here!

We'll see everyone bright and early tomorrow!

SciGirls I Day 6 Leon Sinks & Ecology

2011-07-25T17:21:00.007-04:00

Today SciGirls I hiked the Leon Sinks trails and did water testing at two separate locations:

1. Natural Bridge

2. Hammock Sink

We tested the water quality at each location and learned why PH levels, Dissolved Oxygen, and Nitrate readings may be different at deep water and shallow water sink areas.

From Sci I Day 6 Leon Sinks & Ecology

Ask your SciGirls if they can remember why there is a difference in the readings between these types of water!

After a nice lunch at Leon Sinks we then went to meet with Dr. Alyssa at the Biology building on FSU's campus. The SciGirls got to sort, count, and examine all of their findings from last Thursday's bug collection day and they also tested the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis. Ask your SciGirl if this disproves or proves the hypothesis!

View more pictures here!

From Sci I Day 6 Leon Sinks & Ecology

Day 5--Quarry and Wakulla Springs

2011-07-22T17:39:00.004-04:00

Today SciGirls I and II visited a BASF quarry where Attapulgite clay is mined. We found all sorts of cool fossils that are over 15 million years old! We found all sorts of fossilized shells (turutle shells, snail, clam, and oysters), we found some manatee bones, and even some mammal teeth!

From Sci I & II Quarry and Wakulla Springs

It was a great trip--after our hike up and down the clay piles in the hot sun we ventured to Wakulla Springs to cool off!

Check out all of our photos here!!!

Seacrest Wolf Preserve Video

2011-07-22T17:38:00.002-04:00

On day 2 SciGirls I visited the Seacrest Wolf Preserve in Chipley.

Here is a SciGirls video of the small animal adventure that they offer there.

SciGirls Camp 2011: Day 2 - Seacrest Wolf Preserve from SciGirls Tallahassee on Vimeo.

ENJOY!

SciGirl Videos from Day 4

2011-07-22T16:31:00.003-04:00

Thanks again to our wonderful SciGirl alumni for their speedy editing of the Flip videos.

Scigirls I joined Dr. Rachel Reeves (a veterinarian) and her staff at the Leon County Animal Service Center. You can see highlights of their day in the following video.

SciGirls Day 4: Tallahassee-Leon Community Animal Service Center (TLCASC) from SciGirls Tallahassee on Vimeo.

SciGirls II spent the day with Dr. Randall Hughes, a marine biologist at FSU, and her graduate students.

SciGirls Camp 2011: Day 4 - FSU Marine Lab from SciGirls Tallahassee on Vimeo.

SciGirls II visit the FSU Marine Lab

2011-07-21T19:21:00.004-04:00

On day 4, SciGirls II visited the FSU Marine Lab, where they worked with Dr. Randall Hughes. Dr. Hughes and her team are studying the effects of Fiddler Crabs and mussels on some marsh grasses, and the SciGirls got to help collect data. The girls even got to analyze the data before lunch started.

After lunch, the girls visited Wakulla Beach, where they got to interact with more Fiddler Crabs and explore the marshes there. Many of the SciGirls even hiked up to an oyster bed. The day ended with a swim to try to cool off after the hot day.

Pictures from the day are here.

Tomorrow should be another great day and a great way to end the week! Remember that we are leaving the Mag Lab at 8am to head to the Quarry in Quincy, and bring extra water. We'll also be going to Wakulla Springs for a swim tomorrow afternoon, so bring a swimsuit as well!

SciGirls I Animal Shelter Visit

2011-07-21T17:59:00.003-04:00

Today SciGirls I visited the Leon County Animal Service Shelter. We spent the day with the shelter's resident veterinarian Dr. Rachel Reeves. The girls learned about the basic functions of the shelter, the work of animal control units, and the importance of the shelter's work in controlling the pet population and helping to maintain a healthy pet population here in the area.

From Sci I Day 4 Animal Shelter

In addition, they were able to witness a spay surgery of a female dog, test real blood samples for heart worms, view parasites under a microscope, and participated in a mock walk through of a call to animal control units! It was a fabulous day full of fantastic activities! Ask your SciGirl about the importance of heartworm prevention in your pets, how scientists test for rabies, or how many animals come through the service center each year!!

Great job today SciGirls--I know some of you were nervous about seeing a real live surgery but you did a great job working through your nerves! You stuck it out and got to have a really great experience in the process! CONGRATS to you!

Click here to see photos from today!

SciGirls Videos Day 3

2011-07-21T16:27:00.005-04:00

Check out more videos that our wonderful SciGirl alumni have put together.

SciGirls II visited the FSU Medical School to work with Dr. Susanne Cappendijk, a biomedical researcher and her team. Then in the afternoon we toured the High Performance Materials Institute near the Magnet Lab.

SciGirls Camp 2011: Day 3 - FSU High Performance Materials Institute from SciGirls Tallahassee on Vimeo.

And SciGirls I worked with a FSU Ecology postdoctoral researcher (Alyssa Stocks Hakes) on an ecology activity that she designed for them.

SciGirls Camp 2011: Day 3 - Ecology Activities from SciGirls Tallahassee on Vimeo.

Scigirls Videos!

2011-07-20T21:05:00.003-04:00

Thanks to our fabulous SciGirls Alumnae and our fabulous WFSU engineer Daron we have two videos from this week's camp. More videos will be forthcoming so make sure to stay tuned!

View them here:

SciGirls I and II--Mag Lab Water Testing

SciGirls Camp 2011: Day 1 - Water Testing from SciGirls Tallahassee on Vimeo.

SciGirls II--E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center

SciGirls Camp 2011: Day 2 - E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center from SciGirls Tallahassee on Vimeo.

Last but not least...here is the video from the Wolf Preserve.

SciGirls Camp 2011: Day 2 - Seacrest Wolf Preserve from SciGirls Tallahassee on Vimeo.

SciGirls I Ecology & Engineering

2011-07-20T20:29:00.004-04:00

We spent today with an ecologist learning about Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis. We collected bug samples in different locations behind the Magnet Lab and next week we will look at our findings more closely! Ask your SciGirl if they can tell you about the intermediate disturbance hypothesis and whether or not they think our samples from behind the lab will support this hypothesis!

From Sci I Day 3 Ecology & Engineering

In the afternoon we learned about stormwater runoff from and how to purify water. Each group of SciGirls created a water filter and tested their samples pre and post filtration to see which group created the best filter. Ask your SciGirl to explain how the filters were created and how successful they were!

For today's photos click here!

SciGirls II: FSU Medical School and the High Performance Materials Institute

2011-07-20T20:01:00.001-04:00

Today was filled with a wide variety of activities for SciGirls II. The day started at the Florida State University Medical School, where Dr. Susanne Cappendijk introduced the SciGirls to her research on the effects of nicotine on Zebra Finches. The girls also got to use a microtome, where they "shaved" off 5 micron and 1 micron slices of the finches' heart tissue, then placed them on slides. Then, the girls got to participate in the dying process of tissue like the ones they created using the microtome. Finally, the girls got to see some live Zebra Finches being used and learn about how the members of Dr. Cappendijk's team gather and analyze the data used in the experiment. Pictures from the Med School are here.

After lunch, the girls visited the High Performance Materials Institute. There, they got a tour of the facilities and learned about how carbon nanotubes are being used to build better, more efficient materials and how they can and will be used in the future to help the world run more efficiently. Pictures from the HPMI are here.

There was a little extra time after the visit to the HPMI, so a surprise visit to some local beavers was thrown in at the end of the day!

It was another excellent day with the girls, and tomorrow should follow accordingly! Remember to wear clothes and shoes that can get dirty and wet.

SciGirls I Seacrest Wolf Preserve

2011-07-19T19:59:00.002-04:00

Today SciGirls I took a trip to the Seacrest Wolf Preserve to visit have a unique one-on-one visit with real grey wolves. This is the only place in the U.S. where visitors are able to enter wolf habitats and interact with real wolves!

From SciGirls I Day 2 Seacrest 2011

Not only did we have a great time visiting with wolves, but we also met baby skunks, red foxes, arctic foxes, and raccoons.

Ask your SciGirl about the importance of keystone species and to explain why wolves are so important to our ecosystems!

Check out our pictures here!!!!!

SciGirls II 2011, Day 2, EO Wilson Biophilia Center

2011-07-19T19:42:00.003-04:00

Day 2 for the SciGirls II started bright and early with an 8am departure from the Magnet Lab and a two and a half hour drive to Freeport, FL, where the EO Wilson Biophilia Center is located.

After arriving at the center, the girls headed out on a nature walk that had them exploring different habitats to see what types of ecosystems exist in each. They were also introduced to different types of ants and observed some different types of anthills.

After lunch, the girls got to meet some animals the center is working to rehabilitate or have deemed not able to return to the wild. Many girls even held snakes for the first time!

The day was wonderful and everyone handled the heat superbly! We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!

Check out all of the day's pictures here!

Day One at the Magnet Lab

2011-07-18T19:02:00.006-04:00

Well it was a successful first day of SciGirls Camp 2011!

From Sci I -- Mag Lab Day 1

The day started off with some basic getting to know you games which was then followed up by several tours of the Magnet Lab. We visited Dr. Vincent Salters GeoChemistry lab where each girl got to hold a piece of 4.55 billion year old rock...that is as old as the Earth!

After some fabulous demonstrations by teachers and scientists we spent the afternoon discussion water pollution, the water cycle, and learning why it is so important that multiple sets of data are collected when doing scientific studies!

Click here to see some photos from our first day at the lab!

We will see everyone tomorrow morning...bright and EARLY! :)

Why Women Have an Advantage in Technology

2011-06-24T15:25:00.003-04:00

JUNE 24, 2011, 7:00 AM

Why Women Have an Advantage in Technology

By ADRIANA GARDELLA

Audrey MacLean describes herself as an accidental technologist, an accidental entrepreneur, and an accidental investor. But at the age of eight, she made at least one plan: She would earn a college scholarship. Ms. MacLean, 59, executed that plan and went on to help start Network Equipment Technologies, which went public in 1987. Later, she was a founder and chief executive of Adaptive. She has given seed financing to numerous successful start-ups including Pure Software (founded by Netflix’s Reed Hastings), AdForce and Selectica.

Ms. MacLean, who continues to invest in early-stage companies and mentor entrepreneurs, is now chairwoman of Coraid, which designs and manufactures data storage products. She is also a Stanford professor, teaching graduate students in the department of management, science, and engineering. Recently, she discussed her early motivation to get an education, the advantages of being a woman in technology, and why a technical career offers the best path to changing the world. A condensed version of the conversation follows.

Q. Why were you so focused on getting a college scholarship?

Ms. MacLean: I was one of 10 children. While the issue was financial, it went beyond that. My dad, who had views typical for the era, thought women went to college just to get their M.R.S. degree. And he thought that if I had college debt — a negative dowry — no one would want to marry me. In his view, he had four sons who had to go to college. So, when I was 8, he told me I’d have to get a scholarship if I wanted to go.

Q. How did you get interested in technology?

Ms. MacLean: I never said, ‘Gee, I want a career in tech.’ But I saw that I did well in math, and I was economically motivated. That’s where the jobs were.

Q. Technology is often described as a field that’s inhospitable to women. Has that been your experience?

Ms. MacLean: When I entered the industry, it was burgeoning. Though being a woman was a novelty, it was growing so fast the opportunity was there, just as the opportunity was there for women during World War II. Tech is a true meritocracy. Either you have the goods or you don’t. There’s less concern with gender, race, color and creed. I really truly believe that, despite data on the dearth of women in technology, tech doesn’t have a barrier up to women. In fact, if anything, women who are technically prepared have an advantage.

Q. What’s that?

Ms. MacLean: In my class, I require the students to form teams to do a four-person project. I don’t assign the teams. I’ve noticed the guys seek the women out as teammates. I think the women are particularly good at bringing the team together and at presenting, which are extremely important skills when developing a product. Female engineers are also sought after. Women make up half the population, and companies want user interfaces that appeal to all buyers. In addition to generally being more collaborative, women have an intuitive sense of usability that leads to better products.

Q. So, what explains the discouraging statistics on women in tech?

Ms. MacLean: If more women prepared themselves academically for tech jobs, they’d get hired. Just like more doctors are women because more women have entered medical school. Women need to take advantage of technology courses at the university level, and not all major in communications or fashion design. It’s not that those things aren’t worthwhile if you like them, but your career opportunities will be greater in I.T., including those in green tech and medical tech. If women don’t get the required technical skills, they won’t be positioned to move into core, general management roles with technology companies. C.E.O.’s don’t come from H.R. They come out of product development and marketing.

Q. You mentioned that no more than 20 percent of the students in your Technology Venture Formation course at Stanford are female, and that most of those women are foreign. What accounts for the scarcity of women in the United States?

Ms. MacLean: In China, India and to some degree Russia, bright women are seeking technological educations. In emerging economies, the whole country has identified technology as the way out, the train to get on. There’s a competitive, lift-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps approach to bringing the country into the 21st century, and there’s testing at every educational level to identify talent. But in the U.S., we feel we’ve already made it. There are too many other options for women.

Q. What would get more women to choose careers in technology?

Ms. MacLean: We need to get girls interested in computing by first grade. By fifth grade, it’s game over. Computing has an image crisis. A boy geek subculture has grown up around gaming that involves violence. It’s not something little girls aspire to. It’s not about lack of educational opportunities for women. Smart girls graduate from high school with straight A’s, go to college, and find themselves surrounded by guys who’ve been hacking for 10 years. So they’re way behind. They get discouraged, and go into law or medicine.

Q. What’s the solution?

Ms. MacLean: At both the educational level and the business level, we have to come up with games and contests that appeal to first- and second-grade girls. Not car and war games. Let them design games that change the world, or save the planet.

Q. Can tech really save the planet?

Ms. MacLean: Whether you care about solving terrorism, curing cancer, or any other problem, tech can solve it. It’s not just tech for tech’s sake.

You can follow Adriana Gardella on Twitter.

SciGirls Interview Dr. Rachel Reeves!

2011-06-24T13:02:00.002-04:00

Last fall several past SciGirls took a trip to the Animal Service Center in Tallahassee and interviewed Dr. Rachel Reeves. Watch the video interview here:

SciGirls Interviews: Dr. Rachel Reeves from SciGirls Tallahassee on Vimeo.

For more SciGirls Tallahassee videos visit the SciGirls Tallahassee vimeo web page here: http://vimeo.com/user2031879

FAMILY-FRIENDLY SPACE AT CHALLENGER

2011-06-22T15:28:00.000-04:00

FAMILY-FRIENDLY SPACE EVENT THIS WEEKEND AT THE CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER

See the next generation of space exploration, the Orion Spacecraft; meet astronauts

This Friday and Saturday, June 24 and 25, Tallahassee’s Challenger Learning Center is inviting the public to view a test version of NASA’s Orion Spacecraft.

Beginning Friday afternoon, the Orion Spacecraft will be stationed outside the Challenger Learning Center on College Avenue for free public viewing. Orion experts will be on site to answer your questions and take pictures. Additionally, Challenger Learning Center invites all children to enjoy FREE screenings of the Hubble 3D IMAX movie with a special presentation from an Orion team member. Astronauts Charles Hobaugh & Jeffery Williams will also be present to participate in a special Q&A sessions throughout Friday. Details follow.

FRIDAY, June 24, 2011

9 AM – 7:30 PM Orion Exhibit Open to Public Viewing
Noon – 1 PM: Special Screening of Hubble 3D IMAX Movie with Orion Guest Speakers (free for kids age 12 and under)
12:30 – 1 PM: Q&A session and meet-and-greet with NASA astronauts, located in lobby
1:30 – 2 PM: Second Q&A session and meet-and-greet with NASA astronauts, located in lobby

SATURDAY, June 25, 2011

10 AM – 7:30 PM: Orion Exhibit Open to Public Viewing
Noon – 1 PM: Special Screening of Hubble 3D IMAX Movie with Orion Guest Speakers

(free for kids age 12 and under)

More Orion Information: The Orion is NASA’s chosen craft to carry humans into deep space following the space shuttle program’s retirement this year. The Challenger Learning Center is the last stop before the Orion test vehicle completes its journey from NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center in California to the Kennedy Space Center. You can view the Orion’s cross-country trek by visiting http://on.fb.me/lu4KV8.

SciGirls visit with Heather Gamper--Cross-National Bee Keeper

2011-05-18T12:14:00.003-04:00

Last fall a group of SciGirls went to visit bee hives and learn how bees make honey. Their guide, Heather Gamper a Ph.D. student at FSU shows the girls how bee keeping is done and sits down with the SciGirls to do interview about her work as a bee keeper.

Watch the video interview of bee keeper and graduate student Heather Gamper:

WFSU-TV SciGirls Interviews: Heather Gamper from WFSU SciGirls on Vimeo.

Flip Videos from Tall Timbers

2011-05-11T10:29:00.001-04:00

Tall Timbers

2011-04-26T11:24:00.003-04:00

Thanks to all of the SciGirls who came with us to Tall Timbers on Saturday, April 23rd!

We had a great day.

We would like to send out a special thank you to our volunteers from Tall Timbers: Jim Cox, Tracy Mhielowksi, Kim Sash, Brandy Saffell, and Todd Engstrom!

The girls were able to witness a bird being banded, the effects of fire at various intervals on our local ecosystem, some rare bird life, and of course handle some native snakes.

CONGRATULATIONS ZENANI!

2011-04-04T12:01:00.002-04:00

Please join me in CONGRATULATING Zenani 2010 SciGirl

We are so proud of you! Keep up the amazing work!

Fairview Student Zenani Johnson Recognized for Volunteer Service

Tallahassee, Florida – Zenani Johnson, 13, of Tallahassee, Florida has been honored for her exemplary volunteer service with a Gold Level Presidential Volunteer Service Award for contributing more than 200 hours of community service to organizations within her community. For her service, Ms. Johnson was honored with a gold lapel pin, a certificate of service and a letter from United States President Barak Obama. Her volunteer activities include working with toddlers, volunteering with Jumpstart during Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Day, garnering donations for the local homeless shelter and soliciting prescription bottles for the local animal shelter.

Zenani is a seventh grade Pre-International Baccalaureate student at Fairview Middle School. She is a member of Celebrate New Life Tabernacle Church, active in the National Achievers Society and a member of the Palmer Munroe Youth Advisory Committee where she serves as the Chair for the Community Service Committee.-

To learn more about the Presidential volunteer Service Award click here.

Tall Timbers SciGirls Trip

2011-03-05T13:08:00.003-05:00

To all SciGirls:

We are planning a SciGirls Science Trip to Tall Timbers this coming April!! The trip will be open to past SciGirls of all ages and will include a visit to the Tall Timbers conservation site where you will take a wagon ride through the preserve area, net Bachman's Sparrows, and watch woodpeckers in their early nesting phase.

We only have room for 25 girls so if you want to join the trip please email me (molyneaux@magnet.fsu.edu) ASAP!

Date: Saturday April 23rd

Times: 8:00AM-1:30PM

Drop-off/Pick-up: Bradfordville Publix Parking Lot

(NOT the Magnet Lab)

"Tall Timbers is a widely regarded information resource for the areas of fire ecology, game bird management, vertebrate ecology and forestry. The Research Station is recognized as the home of the study of fire ecology and is an advocate to protect the right to use prescribed fire for land management. And, the Land Conservancy is recognized as one of the nation’s leading land trusts, as it has protected traditional land uses in north Florida and south Georgia by conserving more than 100,000 acres in this region through conservation easements."

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!

2011-02-28T12:40:00.004-05:00

The CIRL office and the Magnet Lab would like to give a HUGE THANK YOU to the following SciGirls who volunteered their time this past weekend to help out with the Magnet Lab Open House:

Maddie M. , Madison R., Catherine K., Camille K.,

Sami H., Allison M., Anna R., Bailey H.

Megan J., Danielle D., Emily K., Andrea Z.

We couldn't have done it without your help!

Thank you to all of you who came and to the parents and guardians who allowed you to spend your Saturday with us!

Photos of Mag Lab's Open House posted on FSView & Fla. Flambeau

SciGirl is Awarded National Comcast Scholarship!

2011-01-24T09:07:00.006-05:00

We would like to congratulate Shelbi N. for winning the Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship. This award is given based on academic standing and volunteer work within the community:

"Every year, Comcast and the Comcast Foundation ask High School Principals and Guidance Counselors to collaborate in identifying the best and the brightest high school seniors in their communities....we want to motivate young people to achieve their potential, to be involved in their schools, and to be catalysts for positive change in their communities. The Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program recognizes students who exemplify these ideals - and who serve as models for their fellow students. Since 2001, the program has recognized more than 13,300 students around the country—and given away more than $13.4 million in scholarship grants." (Comcast website)

This scholarship awards Shelbi a $1,000 grant
to be used for her higher education.

Shelbi is also a nominee for Lincoln High's Best and Brightest
in the Science and Health category.

CONGRATULATIONS on your achievements
and GOOD LUCK on your most recent nomination!

CONGRATULATIONS TO.....

2011-01-21T08:43:00.003-05:00

...SciGirl Madison R. who won 1st prize in the Plant Science category for her science fair project:

"The Effects of Colored Green Houses on Plants Over Time"

Her project will be on display at the Magnet Lab Open House on February 26th. Make sure to come check it out!

Mag Lab Open House-- Volunteers Needed!

2011-01-19T10:32:00.000-05:00

Dear SciGirls (ALL YEARS)--

We are looking for 12 volunteers to help out at the Mag Lab's annual Open House. This is a fantastic event with tons of fun opportunities for all visitors. We will be setting up multiple tables for hands-on science activities and we will also have a whole table dedicated to passing out information on the SciGirls camp.

For those of you who have attended the Open House in the past, you know that there is a HUGE turnout for this event---so we are looking for at least 10 SciGirl volunteers. If you are interested in helping out please let us know!

Mag Lab Open House
February 26, 2010
Volunteer Time: (9:00-3:00)

Interested SciGirls should email me at:
molyneaux@magnet.fsu.edu

We are looking forward to seeing you and your families there!

Also, like last year, we will be displaying any SciGirls science fair projects that have won prizes. The projects will be on display outside B101.

SciGirls who have won prizes and would like to have their project on display should contact me via the above email address!

Cancelation Notice: Girls Empowerment Workshop

2011-01-10T14:54:00.002-05:00

Dear SciGirls,

I am sorry to announce that the Girls Empowerment Workshop has been canceled. We will keep you posted on other opportunities to get involved with SciGirls!

SciGirls Application Online!

2011-01-10T09:14:00.003-05:00

Dear SciGirls,

For those of you who are interested in applying to SciGirls this summer, or who have friends that may be interested, we wanted to let you know that the application is currently available online on the Magnet Lab's SciGirls Summer Camp Webpage.

Applications will be due on April 1, 2011.

Would You Like to Conduct a Scientist Interview?

2011-01-10T09:03:00.005-05:00

Dear SciGirls,

After the huge response we received in the fall from SciGirls interested in conducting scientist interviews alongside WFSU staff, the teachers and directors of SciGirls decided it might be fun to allow you to conduct and film your own interviews. We would like to invite you to choose a scientist or engineer that you would like to talk to (it could be based on your interest in their work, your experience with them during SciGirls, or your relationship with them as a family friend or family member).

Once you have decided on which scientist you would like to interview please contact us and we will help you with the interview process.

Completed interviews will be posted on our SciGirls Tallahassee Blog for all to see.

Email molyneaux@magnet.fsu.edu and let us know who you would like to interview!

'Women and Mathematics' Program at FSU for middle and high school girls

2010-12-08T05:21:00.000-05:00

SciGirls,

For those of you interested in the role of women throughout the history of mathematics, the Mathematical Association of America and the Tensor Foundation have funded the "History Repeats Itself" program to take place at FSU in Spring 20111.

During the six evening sessions, participants will investigate the mathematics of four women from history using original source material. The tentative dates are 2/22, 3/1, 3/15, 4/15, 4/26, 5/10.
If you are interested please contact Dr. Kathy Clark at kclark@fsu.edu
or check out the following survey.

Empowerment Workshop Openings Still Available!

2010-12-01T14:46:00.001-05:00

There are still openings for anyone interested in participating in the January 22nd workshop!

The Oasis Center for Women & Girls in Tallahassee is partnering with SciGirls to offer a:
Girls' Empowerment Workshop

Date: January 22, 2011

Time: 9am-1pm
Ages: Any SciGirl who is 11+

The Girls' Empowerment workshop will be focused on enhancing communication and leadership skills. Girls will be participating in a variety of activities pulled from Girls Circle, a nationally utilized, gender-specific, researched-based curriculum.

There are only 20 slots available for this activity so please email me ASAP if you would like to participate!

Email Kristen at: molyneax@magnet.fsu.edu

Thank You Volunteers!

2010-12-01T14:33:00.005-05:00

We would like to thank the following SciGirls for volunteering at the Cat the Hat Goes Green event at WFSU:

Sammi H., Allison M., Amber B. ,
Emily J. , Adrianna W., Jasmine C.,
Renee R., Anna R., Bailey H. & Camille K.

The event was a HUGE success thanks to all of your efforts!

Girls' Empowerment Workshop for SciGirls

2010-11-17T10:09:00.008-05:00

The Oasis Center for Women & Girls in Tallahassee is partnering with SciGirls to offer a:
Girls' Empowerment Workshop

Date: January 22, 2011

Time: 9am-1pm
Ages: Any SciGirl who is 11+

There are only 20 slots available for this activity so please email me ASAP if you would like to participate!

Email Kristen at: molyneax@magnet.fsu.edu

Christmas Bird Count

2010-11-02T14:36:00.002-04:00

Dear SciGirls,
If you are interested in birds or are an avid bird watcher, the National Audubon Society does an annual bird count every December. For more information on what the Christmas Bird Count is and how you can participate, feel free to check out their website.

Magnet Mystery Hour with FSU Assistant Professor Susanne Cappendijk

2010-10-18T11:21:00.002-04:00

On Tuesday October 19th, Dr. Susanne Cappendijk will be presenting some of her research that explores the process of song development, storage of song information, and identification of underlying neural signaling pathways in the zebra finch brain. Her research is useful to studies of the human brain as well.

The event begins with a tour of the lab at 6:30 pm and then Dr. Cappendijk will present at 7 pm.

New Leaf Market 3rd Annual Farm Tour

2010-10-18T11:18:00.002-04:00

Hello SciGirls,
Fall is here and with it comes the New Leaf Market 3rd Annual Farm Tour. On October 23rd and 24th local farms will be open to the public for tours and in some cases free samples. Please click here for more information.

WFSU is Going Green with Cat in the Hat and Volunteers are Needed!

2010-10-06T09:24:00.009-04:00

We have a new volunteer opportunity for SciGirls!

WFSU-TV celebrates the Literacy of Being Green with Cat in the Hat.

When: Saturday November 20th
Event Time: 10am-1pm
(volunteers may be asked to arrive early to help set up)
Where: 1600 Red Barber Plaza

Kids explore the wonderful world of science through rhymes, songs and wild
adventures with the Cat in the Hat.
It’s a green kind of day so please come out and play!

If you are interested in volunteering please email me (Kristen) at molyneaux@magnet.fsu.edu

Magnet Mystery Hour Success

2010-09-22T08:45:00.007-04:00

THANK YOU SCIGIRLS FOR YOU HELP MAKING
MAGNET MYSTERY HOUR A HUGE SUCCESS!

We couldn't have done it without you!

We would like to personally thank past SciGirls:
Andrea, Allison, Madison, Claire, Catherine, Camille, & Sammi

Keep an eye out on the SciGirls Blog for more volunteer opportunities!

Volunteer Opportunity for SciGirls!

2010-09-09T13:27:00.002-04:00

Are you looking for a way to get involved at the Mag Lab and have some great science fun?

On September 21st the Center for Integrating Research and Learning will be hosting a science night as part of the Magnet Mystery Hour series. CIRL will be presenting "Doing Science Together" and we will have a bunch of activities set up for kids to investigate science in a fun hands on way! We here at the CIRL office (Roxanne, Dr. Pat Dixon, Kristen, Carlos, Jose, and Brandon) are hoping that you will be able to help us!! We are looking for about 5-6 SciGirls who are interested in helping to set up activities, conduct science experiments and demonstrations with us, and to help with clean-up when the Mystery Hour is finished.

Girls would need to be here:
When: September 21
From: 6:00-8:30 p.m.

NOTE: IF you have to do service hours for school we can sign your forms for you!

Since we only have room for 5-6 girls I will be taking the first volunteers to email me. This opportunity is open to ALL PAST SCIGIRLS! If you want to help volunteer let me know ASAP----Just email me (Kristen) at molyneaux@magnet.fsu.edu

Hope to see you all there!!!!

SciGirls Congratulates Madison W.!!

2010-08-12T11:08:00.002-04:00

The SciGirls team would like to send a very warm congratulations and a HUGE thank you to Madison W.--SciGirls Volunteer of the Year!

Madison helped out with many volunteer functions this past year including: the installation of the SciGirls Rain Garden, the Mag Lab Open House, and the WFSU Birthday Bash.

Madison received her award at the SciGirls Reception on July 30th at WFSU.

Thank you Madison for all of your participation--and we hope to see you and many more SciGirls during the upcoming year!!

Stay tuned to the blog to find out about more SciGirls volunteer opportunities!

SciGirls Report!

2010-08-05T14:39:00.002-04:00

Hey SciGirls Fans! If you missed the end of camp reception, then you missed the video that SciGirls I put together on July 28th highlighting some of the great places that the campers visited this year. Check it out below!

SciGirls Report from WFSU SciGirls on Vimeo.

And take a look behind the scenes to see how the video came together:

WFSU Day from WFSU SciGirls on Vimeo.

Scigirls 2010

2010-07-31T12:17:00.002-04:00

Thanks to all of the scientists and engineers who helped with this years camp. It was another successful two weeks as evidenced by the presentations that the girls did at the reception. Remember that the blog is the best way to follow all science and SciGirls related activities throughout the year. So please keep coming back!
SciGirls Teachers

SciGirls II Days 7 & 8: SATS

2010-07-29T14:47:00.002-04:00

SciGirls II headed down for an overnight trip at the FSU Marine Lab for their SATS days. The two days were long but eventful and the days were full of fun! The girls started by being fit for their scuba gear and did their first explorations in the "wet lab", learning how to "read fish" and identify important traits.

After lunch the girls were split into groups. One group, the Vertebrates, headed out on the water to trawl for sea creatures while the other, the Invertebrates, stayed in the wet lab to check out specimens under the microscopes. After a few hours the groups switched activities so everyone could experience everything.

Miss Roxanne made spaghetti for the girls' dinner. The day's activities had left the girls famished (and a bit tired) so they scarfed down dinner and all the sweets they provided themselves.

After dinner the girls walked along the marsh; checking out all of the blue crabs and fiddler crabs along the shore. Some even joined the very exclusive Blue Crab Club! The day was finished with a night boat ride where the girls witnessed bioluminescence, studied some ballyhoos, and reflected on their experiences in the quiet on the water.

The second day started out early, but most of the girls didn't seem to mind. They headed out to Dog Island, where they walked along the shore and snorkeled. After cleaning up the house and eating lunch the girls headed to Carabelle Beach to help survey mole crab populations before heading back to the Mag Lab.

The girls all enjoyed their time at SATS and were exhausted (as I'm sure you witnessed) from the excitement of the trip. Check out the pictures from the trip here!

SciGirls I Visits WFSU! Woop Woop!

2010-07-28T19:27:00.004-04:00

Today SciGirls I had the opportunity to not only visit WFSU but they also created the SCIGIRLS NEWS REPORT (to be seen at the reception on Friday night!)

The girls had a fabulous time writing their scripts and then producing their show. Everyone had a chance to do various jobs...from floor director to news anchor the SciGirls got to do it all.

We had a fantastic time and we cannot wait to show you our final product on Friday night. Click here to see photos from our visit to the WFSU TV/Radio Station!

Day 7: Seacrest Wolf Preserve (Sci I)

2010-07-27T22:00:00.001-04:00

SciGirls (I) ventured to the Seacrest Wolf Preserve. Here they were able to hold skunks, pet an Arctic Fox, and feed raccoons. They played with wolf pups and learned how the wolf preserve raises these wolves to be people friendly while maintaining their habitat and role in the pack. During lunch, SciGirls were able to listen to the life message of a wolf as told to human and listen to a lullaby played in honor of that wolf. After lunch, the girls ventured into the pens of the adult wolves and enjoyed howling with the wolf pack. Finally, the day ended with a story of the wolf Spirit's survival skills and the love that he and his mate shared. It was a great day for all.

Picture of Miss Heather and Miss Kristen rockin' the skunks was taken by Renee R. Thanks Renee for your fabulous photography!

To see pictures from the Seacrest Wolf Preserve click here

Seacrest Wolf Preserve

Defenders of Wildlife

SciGirls on WFSU

2010-07-27T06:01:00.002-04:00

The SciGirls videos (from the blog) will be featured on WFSU's Dimensions program scheduled to air Wednesday night at 7:30 PM and again on Sunday morning at 10 AM on WFSU-TV. Please check your local listing for the exact channel.

SciGirls II Day 6: Tallahassee Animal Service Center

2010-07-26T21:54:00.002-04:00

SciGirls II started their second week at the Tallahassee Animal Service Center. They were all very excited to go and were definitely not let down! The day started with a tour of the center where the girls got to see the adorable animals available for adoption (sorry, parents!). The girls were split into two groups; one group saw a spaying while the other learned about zoonotic diseases. Both were new experiences for almost all of the girls and provided great learning opportunities for them.

After lunch, the girls were split into three groups. One group tested different dogs' blood for heartworm, the second checked out microscope slides with different parasites on them, and the third worked with Animal Control and learned about heat stroke in animals and the new law stating that dogs may not be left unattended in cars.

The girls had a great day and are looking forward to tomorrow and Wednesday at SATS!

SciGirls I SATS

2010-07-26T21:08:00.004-04:00

On day six, SciGirls I went to Saturday at the Sea to explore marine life. The girls went snorkeling and explored marine life in the shallow waters of the sea grass where they learned to identify different types of fish. After trawling several nets of vertebrates and invertebrates, the girls observed them under a microscope and recorded their results.

To see pictures from SATS click here

Video Blog: Day 4- Full Earth Farm

2010-07-26T14:51:00.002-04:00

SciGirls Day 4: Full Earth Farm from WFSU SciGirls on Vimeo.

On day 4, the SciGirls visited Full Earth Farm in Quincy, FL to learn about renewable forms of agriculture including the benefits of composting over the using chemical fertilizers and the impact of commercial farming on our environment. Here is some of the footage that they shot with their flip cameras.

SciGirls II Day 5

2010-07-25T09:24:00.004-04:00

On Friday, SciGirls II traveled to the FSU Marine Lab to work with Dr. Randall Hughes. The girls collected data on periwinkle snails and their movements at low and high tide and with or without predators present. In the afternoon they discussed their results. After enjoying some watermelon, they listened to a presentation by one of the foremost experts on oil spills and their effects, Riki Ott. For those of you who are interested in reading more about Dr. Ott and the books that she mentioned, feel free to click on her name which will direct you to her website.

Day 4: Full Earth Farm

2010-07-22T13:38:00.005-04:00

Today both SciGirls I and SciGirls II went to visit Full Earth Farm which is a locally run organic farm located in Quincy. The girls had a great time learning about renewable forms of agriculture including the benefits of composting over the using chemical fertilizers and the impact of commercial farming on our environment. They had the opportunity to measure the internal temperature of compost piles and to conduct water testing at the farm's natural creek. It was a hot and sweaty day but the eating of fresh organic watermelon post water testing made it all worth while. Thank you Full Earth Farm for hosting the SciGirls this year! See pictures here.

For individuals interested in finding out more about local farming in our community please check out the Local Harvest website that hosts a wealth of information on organic farming and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). If you are interested in joining a CSA but don't know where to start....here is your place!

SciGirls Tallahassee Video Blog: Day 2

2010-07-22T08:35:00.005-04:00

SciGirls Camp Day 2: Leon Sinks & Wakulla Springs from WFSU SciGirls on Vimeo.

On the second day of camp, the SciGirls started off at Leon sinks, where the girls did water tests on two different sinks and hiked around the park. Then they spent the afternoon at Wakulla Springs. They saw a many different types of birds, turtles, and even a few alligators.

Check out the footage that the campers shot with their flip cameras!

Leon County Animal Shelter--Day 3

2010-07-22T08:19:00.005-04:00

SciGirls I spent Wednesday at the Tallahassee-Leon Community Animal Service Center. Upon arriving Dr. Rachel Reeves and the rest of her staff spent the morning giving us a tour of the facility and teaching us all about Zoonotic diseases (ask your SciGirl to tell you the definition!). After our tour the girls were able to witness Dr. Reeves perform a spay surgery on a female dog. Not only did the girls get to watch all of the surgery from start to finish, but they were even invited to help prep the animal for its surgery. Girls volunteered to help shave the puppy, vacuum the fur off the surgery site, and then clean and swab the belly so that the dog would not get an infection from bacteria post surgery. After lunch and some relaxation time the girls resumed their work inside the shelter where they learned how to test blood for heart worms, looked at numerous parasites (worms, mites, etc.) under a microscope, and walked through a mock exercise of what happens when an animal is rescued by animal control.

All in all we had a fabulous day at the animal shelter and we cannot thank the Tallahassee-Leon Community Animal Service Center and Dr. Reeves enough for giving us this experience! It was fabulous! Make sure to check out the pictures from our Animal Shelter adventure here (warning...there are surgery pictures!).

SciGirls II Day 3: Nanotube Activity

2010-07-21T18:00:00.000-04:00

For Day 3 of SciGirls II the girls got to explore engineering and they even created a Carbon Nanotube from balloons. The day started out with the girls learning the ins-and-outs of engineering from Dr. Englander. They learned about nanotechnology and got to test out some spill resistant pants.

After lunch the girls learned about nanotubes and their applications. They were challenged to create their own nanotubes from balloons, string, tape, and hula-hoops. The girls really enjoyed the challenge and many of them turned it into a competition (the "winning" team is pictured above).

The day opened many of the SciGirls' eyes to the opportunities in the engineering world and showed them how many different science disciplines collaborate to make discoveries and make the world a better place.

SciGirls II Announcement for Friday, July 23

2010-07-20T22:32:00.002-04:00

SCIGIRLS II: For the Friday, July 23, trip to the FSU Marine Lab Dr. Hughes has asked that you bring the following items:

-Lunches (just like everyday)

-Binders

-Sunscreen

-Hats/Sunglasses,

-Shoes that can get wet

-Shirt and shorts you don't mind getting ruined. We will be working in a tent with a substance that may stick to your clothing and be very difficult to get out, make sure you don't wear your favorite outfit this day!

Day 2: Leon Sinks and Wakulla Springs

2010-07-20T18:32:00.001-04:00

The second day for the SciGirls was a hot one, but very productive. They started the day at Leon Sinks, where the girls did water tests on two different sinks and hiked around the park. SciGirls I tested Natural Bridge Sink while SciGirls II tested the Hammock Sink. In all, the hike was over three miles; and the girls were great about finishing even through the heat and humidity.

The girls ate lunch at Leon Sinks, then loaded up the vans to head to Wakulla Springs, where they spent the afternoon. Everyone swam and cooled off, enjoyed some ice cream, and some braved the high dive and jumped into the water! Our trip to the Springs ended by taking a boat on the river. They saw a many different types of herons, turtles, and even a few alligators. It was great to see all of these wild animals right in our backyard.

Check out the pictures from the day here!

Day 1: Magnet Lab

2010-07-15T13:31:00.014-04:00

It was an exciting first day for the SciGirls. They began their day with a tour of the Magnet Lab, where they learned about the MRI, electromagnetic, and hybrid magnets at use by the many scientists working at the lab. Then the girls were able to make their own electromagnets from just a few items. Next, they watched a few videos on water quality in both Tallahassee and Haiti while they lunched. Finally, SciGirls braved the wet elements (and a few insects!) to do some water testing of their own to compare water samples found around the Magnet Lab. They followed the testing by writing in their journal, and analyzing and comparing information. It was a fun first day filled with new ideas and new friends!

Check out some pictures from Day 1.

Here are the videos that we watched:

Hidden Rivers of Florida

Clean Water for Haiti

Make sure to stay tuned to the Magnet Lab home page for events that are open to the public or visit the Magnet Lab Education page to schedule tours or find out about student/teacher specific events!

Orientation 2010

2010-07-15T13:12:00.004-04:00

Welcome to SciGirls 2010 Orientation!!!
July 15, 2010

NASA Art Exhibit

2010-07-13T09:07:00.002-04:00

The Florida Museum of History is hosting the NASA Art Exhibit from July 22nd-October10th of this year.

"This exciting exhibit from NASA and the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum includes framed photographs, drawings, paintings, sculpture, audio art, and mixed media from famous artists documenting the space program." (Florida Museum of History website)

The exhibit will be on display in the Museum's Main Gallery and is free to the public.

There are a ton of events that are planned around this exhibit---in fact CIRL's very own Jose will be doing a Comet Tails Presentation on August 24th.

So check the Florida Museum of History website for more information on the exhibit and the guest speakers that will be coming to discuss the fascinating history of the NASA space programs.

SciGirls 2010 Orientation Thursday!

2010-07-13T08:52:00.002-04:00

Just a reminder that the 2010 SciGirls Orientation will take place this Thursday:

July 15th from 5:30-6:30 in B101 of the Magnet Lab

We are looking forward to meeting all of you.

Please remember to bring all of your paperwork with you!

Sincerely,
The SciGirls Team

Opportunity to Participate in FSU Research Study

2010-07-06T10:01:00.004-04:00

Wilma Boulware is a doctoral student, of Dr. Robert Eklund, in the Sport Psychology program here at Florida State. She would like to invite you and your parent(s)/guardian(s) to participate in her study. She is investigating factors that might affect youth activity choice, such as who chooses the activity, what activity they choose, why they choose a particular activity, and whether or not they are satisfied with the choice.

The information gathered will be coded so that no personal identifiers will be used in any published material (but must be obtained so that she can keep youth and parent information together). This information will be kept confidential, to the extent allowed by law.

The packets require approximately one (1) hour to complete; there are approximately 60 questions. Youth surveys have fewer questions than parent(s)/guardian(s) surveys.

If you are interested in being a participant, you may contact Wilma through the following email address: wab06c@fsu.edu, subject line: activity choice survey.

We need you to vote!

2010-06-01T10:51:00.003-04:00

SciGirls needs your help in winning a Pepsi Refresh Grant!

In January of 2010 Pepsi started the Pepsi Refresh Project and pledged to give away $1,300,000 dollars in grant funding for deserving projects every month.

As you already know, SciGirls is committed to offering middle and high school girls exciting opportunities to explore science fields, but we cannot do this without funding! Therefore two months ago we prepared a proposal for the Pepsi Refresh Grant campaign. It was accepted and has now gone live on the Pepsi Refresh System.

This means we need your help!

We need to collect as many votes as possible in order to win a grant!

Which means we need your vote every day!

The organization with the most votes in our category will win the funding. So we are hoping that each of you ( and your family members, friends, colleagues, and anyone else that you may know) will log-on to the Pepsi Refresh website and vote for our grant proposal EVERY DAY for the month of June.

WFSU will be promoting the grant on their public television website and station and we are counting on our extensive SciGirls community to continue to get the word out there and continue to vote every day.

I have posted a link to the voting area on the SciGirls Blog, on the SciGirls Tallahassee Group Facebook page OR you can just click here and go directly to our SciGirls Grant Proposal: http://www.refresheverything.com/search/?q=scigirls

You will need to register on the Pepsi site but it requires minimal information (name and email address) and then you will be ready to log-in every day and vote!

Thank you for your continued support!

Future SciGirl Desiree---

2010-05-14T09:09:00.005-04:00

Desiree R.'s 5th Grade Science Expo Project entitled:

Relocating Earth

has been chosen to be shown at the Leon County Science Expo at

Challenger Learning Center.

The Science Expo is on Saturday, May 15, 2010 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Congratulations and Good luck Desiree!

SciGirls Master History and Film Too???

2010-05-12T09:31:00.000-04:00

We would like to send out our sincerest CONGRATULATIONS to:
Kayley E.
who won 2nd Place in the
Junior Individual Documentary category at
Florida State History Fair!!!

Kayley's documentary was entitled--
Floating Fortresses: The Innovation of Ironclads

CONGRATULATIONS KAYLEY!

Kayley will be competing in College Park, Maryland for the national title in June of this year! Good Luck!!

***We hope to post Kayley's video on the SciGirls Blog after her competition is finished....
So stay tuned!***

The Launch of Sustainable Tallahassee, Inc.

2010-05-11T11:24:00.004-04:00

Hey SciGirls, find out how you can support ongoing initiatives to preserve Tallahassee and the surrounding areas by becoming more sustainable!!

Sustainable Tallahassee, Inc.
"Sustainable Tallahassee, Inc. promotes environmental stewardship and
economic development through education and collaboration."

Visit Sustainable Tallahassee, Inc. to to find out about:
local events, news, and volunteer opportunities!

Follow PBS Coverage of Gulf Oil Spill

2010-05-06T12:15:00.004-04:00

SciGirls can find out more about the oil spill in the gulf and
how it will affect our gulf waters

Here: PBS It's My Life Blog
OR
Here: PBS News Hour Extra

If you are interested in volunteering to help with clean-up activities
please visit the National Audubon Action Center for volunteering information/opportunities.

WFSU Thanks All Volunteers

2010-04-30T20:15:00.003-04:00

Check out the pictures of the WFSU Birthday Bash here!

Trash to Treasure Competition--2010

2010-04-27T08:48:00.010-04:00

PBS Press Release:
CALLING ALL CREATIVE KIDS AND YOUNG INVENTORS...

Transform items from the recycling bin into the next big
thing and be on TV!
Design Squad on PBS KIDS GO!® is Looking to Feature the Next Big
Eco-Innovation and it Could Be Yours!

Kids across the country ages 5-19 are once again challenged to recycle, reuse and re-engineer everyday materials into new inventions. Three young innovators will win a trip to Boston to see their designs built and have the process chronicled for an upcoming episode of the engineering TV series.

“This is an opportunity for kids to give a second life to an object they or their household would have otherwise discarded. We expect that this year’s entries will run the gamut, from trying
to fill a pressing societal need to offering something whimsical and fun.”--Marisa Wolsky, Design Squad executive producer.

The rules are simple!!

The invention should fit within one of the three categories:

1. Move things or people (Mobility),
2. Protect the environment (Environmental),
3. Be used for indoor or outdoor play (Play).

The invention also needs to be made of at least two repurposed materials

such as: fabric, paper, plastic, small electronics, wheels, clamps, springs, batteries, hardware, wood, bike parts, string, rubber bands, cardboard, kitchen gadgets, etc. (Kids will be given online tools to sketch out their ideas or upload a photo. )

**Kids don’t need to actually build their invention in order to enter.**

If any SciGirls are interested in this competition please let us know!

We can help come up with ideas and assist in whatever way we can
we would also love to follow and document your progress on the SciGirls Blog!

Contact Kristen at: molyneaux@magnet.fsu.edu
to let us know if you are thinking of participating
OR
if you would like to receive additional information about the competition!

HAPPY DESIGNING!!

CONTESTANTS CAN SUBMIT IDEAS ONLINE FROM
APRIL 5 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 5

An interesting and related film: Garbage Dreams will air on PBS May 2nd at 10PM.

"Welcome to the world's largest garbage village located on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt. The Zaballeen (Arabic for "garbage people") recycle 80 percent of the trash they collect -- far more than other recycling initiatives. But now multinational corporations threaten their livelihood. Follow three teenage boys, born into the business, who are forced to make choices that will impact the survival of their community."

--Garbage Dreams from Independent Lens

SciGirl Takes 1st Place at State Science Fair

2010-04-23T10:24:00.004-04:00

Please join us in congratulating Kayley E. for:
WINNING FIRST PLACE in Engineering at the
2010 Florida State Science Fair!

CONGRATULATIONS KAYLEY!

SciGirls Receive Local Civics Award

2010-04-22T09:09:00.017-04:00

Earlier this week Adi H. and Kayley E. (SciGirls 2009) were awarded

The Bob Graham Award
for Excellence in Civic Action

Each middle school in Leon County selects one male and one female 8th grade student to receive this award. The selection criteria is based on students': citizenship, academic performance, volunteerism, leadership skills, and community involvement. Nominees are selected from each social studies class within their school and are asked to complete a one page essay outlining his/her civic and community involvement. Two award recipients (at each school) are then selected from the applicant pool.

Out of all of the nominees at Deerlake M.S.
Adi was chosen to receive this award!
&
Out of all of the nominees at Swift Creek M.S.
Kayley was chosen to receive this award!

CONGRATULATIONS ADI and KAYLEY!!
We are so excited to have such wonderful ambassadors for our program!

If you have a general interest in learning more about how to promote community leadership and improve civics knowledge, visit the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship.

WFSU Thanks SciGirls Volunteers!!

2010-04-20T09:09:00.007-04:00

THANK YOU SCIGIRL VOLUNTEERS!

We would like to thank all of the SciGirl Volunteers who took time out of their busy schedules this past Saturday to help make the WFSU Birthday Bash a HUGE success!

You did a wonderful job and your work was much appreciated!!

WFSU Birthday Bash Tomorrow!

2010-04-16T15:45:00.002-04:00

Remember that WFSU is having their 50th Birthday Bash tomorrow!
Feel free to drop by and check it out from 10-3!

Click here to see more information about the celebration
AND to see the 2009 SciGirls featured on the Raising Readers video clip!

WFSU Recieves National Award for SciGirls!

2010-03-23T15:09:00.006-04:00

WFSU Receives National Award from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Click HERE to see National My Source Video which features our own SciGirls
OR HERE to see the SciGirls Tallahassee My Source Version.

(Washington, DC) - - WFSU-TV received a My Source Education Innovation Award from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) this weekend in Washington, D.C.

The My Source Education Innovation Awards recognize and showcase how public broadcasting stations use pioneering approaches and emerging digital technologies to serve the educational needs of their communities on-air, online and in the classroom.

“Stations across the country are using technology in creative and innovative ways to deliver educational tools and resources that are making a real difference to teachers, parents and children,” said Pat Harrison, president and CEO of CPB. “Public media is the definitive education partner for a new generation of learners and CPB congratulates WFSU-TV for its outstanding contribution to the community.”

For the past 4 years, WFSU in partnership with the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory has sponsored a science camp for middle school girls called SciGirls. This camp offers hands-on science experiences. This past summer, WFSU provided 6 FLIP cameras for the girls to document their experiences. They interviewed each other, the scientists they met, their teachers and anything else that captured their imagination. Each evening these videos were downloaded onto the WFSU website and linked to the SciGirls Blog. Families and friends were able to experience the day in the life of a SciGirl. According to Kim Kelling, Director of Educational Services, “ By documenting their own experiences with a series of video diaries, the girls reinforced particular science content that had meaning for them and were engaged in a wholly unique way.”

The award was presented to WFSU-TV’s by Pat Harrison at the Council of Chief State School Officers/Public Media Executive Summit. WFSU-TV will receive a small grant to further support the project.

Another Mag Lab Mystery Hour

2010-03-18T10:17:00.001-04:00

It's time for another Magnet Mystery Hour! This coming Tuesday's talk features our own Mark Bird, who'll be going over the lab's variety of magnet types, strengths and uses in language the general public can understand. This is a GREAT introduction to basic magnet technology for adults, college-age students, and advanced high-schoolers. Hope to see you there!

Tuesday: March 23rd
When: 7 PM with a brief tour beforehand at 6:30.

Past SciGirls Creating Volunteer Opportunities!!

2010-03-17T14:25:00.004-04:00

Where: Green Industries off Hwy 90.----2729 West Washington Street, FL 32344

When: March 27th, 2010 (all day)

What: Mural Painting

Who: The NFCC Art Club, Tallahassee local artists and other students will be there!

This unique volunteer opportunity is the first of what we hope will be many SciGirl inspired outreach activities!!!

McKinnley W. is a former SciGirl that is preparing to finish her high school education as well as her AA this spring AND is getting ready to move away to college in the fall. She is involved with Green Industries Institute (North Florida Community College) and is helping to organize a community outreach/volunteer opportunity.

What is the event? On this day, art students and others will come together and paint scenes of nature and the cosmos (and also write/paint sayings on the wall for those who are not artists). We will have free pizza and music and talk and learn about sustainability as we paint! It is a great community service opportunity and a great time to come out and learn about all the cool things going on at GI.

If you are interested in attending please RSVP as soon as possible to Kristen at: molyneaux@magnet.fsu.edu

Please come out to support a former SciGirl!

NEW: WFSU SciGirls Volunteer Opportunity

2010-03-17T09:17:00.005-04:00

Date: Saturday, April 17th

Time: 10am-3pm

Where: WFSU Station

What: WFSU will be hosting a 50th birthday bash at the WFSU station and is interested in having some SciGirls there who could lead a hands-on activity and answer questions about the SciGirls camp.

If you are interested in volunteering please email me at:

molyneaux@magnet.fsu.edu

What if you want to make a difference in the world....

2010-03-16T12:01:00.004-04:00

AND pursue science and engineering careers???

If you are interested in science and engineering careers, but are not really sure how science and engineering can fit into your other interests....then check out these websites which host video profiles of interesting individuals that meld their passion for life with the field of engineering!

Engineer Your Life:
Example: Daniele Lantagne travels the world to teach safe drinking water practices.

Design Squad:
Example: Industrial engineer Erin Gately creates new environmentally friendly products for Hewlett-Packard by ensuring that HP's computer products are made with fewer non-recyclable materials.

REMINDER--OPEN HOUSE TOMORROW!

2010-02-26T11:50:00.001-05:00

Just a reminder that the MAG LAB OPEN HOUSE is tomorrow from 10-3. Tell all your friends!!!

SciGirls Rock! TV Premier TONIGHT!

2010-02-23T12:38:00.002-05:00

Tuesday at 9PM on WFSU-TV watch SciGirls Rock! Follow the adventures of middle school girls who attended a two week science summer program called SciGirls in 2009. SciGirls, entering its 5th season, was created by the Mag Lab and WFSU-TV to engage girls 10-16 years old in hands-on science experiences with a particular focus on the STEM fields. The program will air again on WFSU-TV March 31 at 7:30P and April 4th at 10P.

See the promo video HERE

More SciGirl Updates!

2010-02-22T09:59:00.009-05:00

Please join the SciGirls team in sending very warm
CONGRATULATIONS TO:

Emily K.: 3rd place at Regional Science Fair (Animal Sciences)
Mary D: 2nd place at Regional Science Fair (Earth/Space Science)
Nidhi S.: representing school in the Regional Science Olympiad in Lake City, FL
Catherine K: 3rd place at Regional Science Fair (Micro Biology)
Heather H.: 1st place at Regional Science Fair (Earth and Planetary Sciences)
Kayley E.: 1st place at Regional Science Fair (Engineering: Material and Bioengineering)--Going to State Competition
Maya M.: won Most Original at the district level of the Tropicana Speech Contest!

You all worked so hard and we are so proud of you!
Keep up the good work and make sure to let us know if you have any announcements!

The SciGirls Tallahassee Blog

Mag Lab Open House Volunteers Needed

Volunteers Needed ASAP!

SciGirls Volunteer Opportunity

SciGirls 2012 Application Online

PBS--STEM Video Game Challenge

Nasa--Aspire 2 Inspire

Congratulations Claire and Trisha

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!!!!

SciGirls Volunteer Opportunity

Final SciGirl Videos

TO A WONDERFUL 2011 SCIGIRLS CAMP:

SciGirls I Day 9 Old Cemetery

SciGirls II Day 9-- Leon Sinks Ecology Investigation

SciGirls in the news

Videos

SciGirls II Day 8-- FSU Physics and Chemical Engineering

SciGirls I WFSU & ARF

Forensics Day at Panama City

SciGirls II Day 6-- Leon County Animal Service Center

SciGirls I Day 6 Leon Sinks & Ecology

Day 5--Quarry and Wakulla Springs

Seacrest Wolf Preserve Video

SciGirl Videos from Day 4

SciGirls II visit the FSU Marine Lab

SciGirls I Animal Shelter Visit

SciGirls Videos Day 3

Scigirls Videos!

SciGirls I Ecology & Engineering

SciGirls II: FSU Medical School and the High Performance Materials Institute

SciGirls I Seacrest Wolf Preserve

SciGirls II 2011, Day 2, EO Wilson Biophilia Center

Day One at the Magnet Lab

Why Women Have an Advantage in Technology

Why Women Have an Advantage in Technology

SciGirls Interview Dr. Rachel Reeves!

FAMILY-FRIENDLY SPACE AT CHALLENGER

SciGirls visit with Heather Gamper--Cross-National Bee Keeper

More videos from Tall Timbers

Flip Videos from Tall Timbers

Tall Timbers

CONGRATULATIONS ZENANI!

Tall Timbers SciGirls Trip

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!

SciGirl is Awarded National Comcast Scholarship!

CONGRATULATIONS TO.....

Mag Lab Open House-- Volunteers Needed!

Cancelation Notice: Girls Empowerment Workshop

SciGirls Application Online!

Would You Like to Conduct a Scientist Interview?

'Women and Mathematics' Program at FSU for middle and high school girls

Empowerment Workshop Openings Still Available!

Thank You Volunteers!

Girls' Empowerment Workshop for SciGirls

Christmas Bird Count

Magnet Mystery Hour with FSU Assistant Professor Susanne Cappendijk

New Leaf Market 3rd Annual Farm Tour

WFSU is Going Green with Cat in the Hat and Volunteers are Needed!

Magnet Mystery Hour Success

Volunteer Opportunity for SciGirls!

SciGirls Congratulates Madison W.!!

SciGirls Report!

Scigirls 2010

SciGirls II Days 7 & 8: SATS

SciGirls I Visits WFSU! Woop Woop!

Day 7: Seacrest Wolf Preserve (Sci I)

SciGirls on WFSU

SciGirls II Day 6: Tallahassee Animal Service Center

SciGirls I SATS

Video Blog: Day 4- Full Earth Farm

SciGirls II Day 5

Day 4: Full Earth Farm

SciGirls Tallahassee Video Blog: Day 2

Leon County Animal Shelter--Day 3

SciGirls II Day 3: Nanotube Activity

SciGirls II Announcement for Friday, July 23

Day 2: Leon Sinks and Wakulla Springs

Day 1: Magnet Lab

Orientation 2010

NASA Art Exhibit