SciGirls II 2015 Day 2: Tree-to-Tree and Female Scientists

Whew! What a day...we started out our day at the Tallahassee Museum doing a tree-to-tree zipline, obstacle course. Some of our favorite obstacles are the skateboard and wooden poles.  The SciGirls teachers were hoping girls made mental notes of the labeled trees on our zipline tour, so they could check them off their wildlife checklist. From start of the safety portion till the very end we completed the course in just under 2.5 hours. After our tree-to-tree adventure, we reenergized with lunch and explored a walking trail to see animals, bears, panthers, and even a snake that wasn't actually a part of an exhibit.

Next, we headed back to the MagLab and got ready to extract DNA from a banana. Ms. Lauren Cole, a graduate student studying DNA from FSU, came and showed us how to break out DNA from a cell using common household items. You will have to ask your girls for the 'recipe.' Ms. Cole took the time to just chat with the girls as well, answering specific questions about her research as well as speaking to the struggles as a female scientist. Ms. Cole wasn't the only female scientist we had come visit today, Dr. Amy McKenna of the MagLab came in to speak with the girls about her struggles with math and how she overcame it! Dr. McKenna gave practical advice on how to change your thinking when it comes to math and shared specific strategies that worked for her. Her visit was really and truly an inspiration (make sure to ask your girls about her!!!!).

Thank you Amy McKenna and Lauren Cole for all you did for our girls today; they (and their teachers) loved you.

Next up on the calendar is a Disney Imagineer and MagLab activities; make sure to wear closed toed shoes tomorrow.