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Thank you Doris Buffett and the Rappahannock Community Foundation's Women and Girls Empowerment Fund! Fredericksburg Parent and Family won a partial grant to encourage girls in the 5th, 6th and 7th grade to enter careers in the math and sciences. We will be offering four math and science classes in the fall that are fun, fun, fun!! The science portions of the program will be led by Melissa Csikari, Brownie-level Girl Scout volunteer with Troop 263. Csikari is a certified secondary science teacher in the state of Virginia. She is currently employed with Stafford County Public Schools and teaches STAT Biology, Anatomy and Physiology and AP Biology. She has been nominated for teacher of the year for her school for the last four consecutive years. She earned her BS in Biology from La Roch College and her MS in Life Sciences from the University of Maryland. Prior to teaching Csikari worked as a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh.
We will be offering 3 classes on October 23 (Engineering), November 7 (Biology), and February 4 (Chemistry) at Lighthouse Academy from 8:30 to noon. Class descriptions are listed below as well as goals. It is not necessary to participate in the Girl Scout portion of the program unless desired. The charge is $20 per class. Scholarships are available. Click here to register. (Payment arrangements will be taken by our office over the phone.) Our grant money will cover the scholarships and has paid for some non-consumable items and teacher time. Your fee will help pay for consumable items and will hopefully help fund a physics class in the last spring.
Biology Day (November 7)
Students will explore one of the fastest growing fields in biology--forensics. Throughout the day the girls will have to utilize teamwork, critical thinking, and applicable math and science to solve the mystery: “The Case of the Empty Cookie Cupboard”. The course will begin by the girls being briefed on the field of forensics using a PowerPoint Presentation infused with information from http://www.aibs.org/careers/, http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/ and interactive from http://www.trutv.com/forensics/lab/, http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/ and other Internet sources. Following the introduction the stage will be set for the pseudo-crime. The day will be packed with adventure, learning, and clues galore!
This class will cover Girl Scout Interest Project Patch (IPP) “Law and Order: Technology #5”: (Learn about scientific methods, such as DNA testing, fingerprinting and hair analysis, as used in criminal investigations, and how they can be used as evidence in solving crimes.)
Modified from: http://www.commlearning.com/_fileCabinet/Cookie_Jar_Mystery_Info_Sheet.pdf
http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/prints.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/00206/lesson.htm
Per session Max 30 students
Chemistry Day (February 4)
The students will explore the fun and fascinating world of chemistry and how it impacts their everyday lives. They will learn about the science of disposable diapers, be introduced to basic bench chemistry, make bouncy balls, and make their own crystal gardens to take home.
The day will begin with a brief introduction to chemistry and careers in chemistry then students will break out into small groups and travel to different stations to see and do chemistry in action.
Girl Scout IPP “Why in the World? Skill Builder #4” will be covered in this class. (Investigate how new synthetic materials play an important role in two or more of the following: clothing, cars, homes, toys, sports equipment, media equipment, and medicine. What materials were previously used? What are the advantages of the new materials?)
Girl Scout IPP “Why in the World? Career Exploration #1” will also be covered. (Interview at least two women in science fields. Find out how they got started. Did they have mentors? While in high school, did they have to contend with negative stereotypes about girls who like science or girls who are smart? How do they feel about the future for women in science?)
Handouts will be sent home with girls interested in completing IPP ‘Why in the World? Service Project #2”: (Help a Brownie troop or girls in a homeless shelter complete a science activity) and/or IPP “Why in the World? Skill Builder #2”:(Observe an item while it is in use. Identify its purpose, its parts, and its energy source. Using resources found in the library or on the worldwide web, draw a diagram to show how it works).
Modified from: http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryforkids/Chemistry_for_Kids.htm
http://www.lessonplanet.com/search?keywords=toxicology&media=lesson&page=4&rating=3
http://www.sciencecompany.com/sci-exper/crystal_exp3.htm
http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/183258.pdf
Physics Day (will hopefully take place in late spring 2011)
The spirit of Newton, Galileo and others will be evoked as the class embarks on a journey exploring practical physics and how it makes up our world. The day will begin with a brief PowerPoint presentation discussing physics careers and the founding fathers of physics. Then the class will break into small groups to observe the ‘potential’ of physics!
This class will cover Girl Scout IPP “Inventions and Inquiry: Career Exploration #2”: (Investigate courses to take in high school and college to help you with a career direction in inventing. Draw a one-five- or ten-year timeline for yourself. Try to set up an internship experience.) and “Technology #2”: (Explain how changes in technology have altered at least two inventions in terms of function or design.)
Modified from:
http://www.compadre.org/Precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=6013
http://galileo.phys.virginia.edu/education/outreach/8thgradesol/ActivitiesList.htm
Engineering Day (October 23)
“No profession unleashes the spirit of innovation like engineering. From research to real-world applications, engineers constantly discover how to improve our lives by creating bold new solutions that connect science to life in unexpected, forward-thinking ways.”(National Academy of Sciences, Changing the Conversation: Messages for Improving Public Understanding of Engineering)
This class will meet cutting edge bio-medical engineers and learn how they developed for amputees in the military a “bionic” arm that moves as you think. This arm was featured on the cover of National Geographic in January 2010 and was developed right here in Fredericksburg. The students will experiment with manipulating the arm themselves via a virtual reality glove. They will study the principles the engineers used to create electric motors that move the arm and each will make her own electric motor to take home. They will meet women engineers from Dahlgren Naval Base and learn about their career paths.
Parts of Girl Scout IPP “Inventions and Inquiry” will be covered, including
a) “Skill Builder #4: (Find out about the patenting process. What does it mean when a patent is pending? What is the different between utility, design and plant patents? What are trademarks? What are trade secrets? Where do you look up patents? )
b) “Technology #3”: (Investigate the role of research and development in creating a new product. How long does it take for a product to get from the drawing board to the consumer? How much of a successful company’s budget is devoted to R and D? Which kinds of projects are funded by the government?)
c) “Technology #5”: (Ask people in five different fields what they foresee as the most valuable inventions for the next few years. What are the most important problems that need solutions in the future?)
Note: A new Girl Scout IPP is being developed called “Girls Go Engineering.” As of this date, it has not been approved, but we hope to use it once it receives Council approval. This IPP would be completed in one Saturday. The other IPPs listed require homework to finish the complete requirements.
In all of the classes, attendees will practice self-efficacy skills, decision-making skills and peer-refusal skills based on the DARE to be You model adapted for these classes.
The Goals: We expect the attendees to (1)improve their scores in four areas (chemistry, physics, biology and engineering) as measured by pre-class and post-class tests, (2) if desired, complete the requirements for three to four Girl Scout Interest Project Patches related to science, (“Why in the World”, “Inventions and Inquiry”, “Law and Order”, and “Girls Go Engineering”) as well as increase Girl Scout enrollment at the cadette level, (3) increase the number of enrollments in 8th grade advanced math and science classes and (4) show, via testing, an increased understanding of the economic impact of their career choices.
The troop also expects to obtain a list of girls who want further tutoring and assistance in pursuing science and math careers, and to develop a cadre of women scientists and Girl Scout volunteers engaged as tutors, teachers and mentors in assisting these girls.
Social Change Indicators
This project addresses the following social change indicators:
1. A redefinition or reframing of issues
We hope to encourage girls to consider careers in the sciences. Specifically we hope to get across the messages the National Academy of Sciences found the most effective in interesting girls in engineering and the sciences: a. Engineers make a world of difference; b. Engineers are creative problem-solvers, c. Engineers help shape the future.
2. A Shift in Behavior
We hope to see more girls entering math and science studies in school; pursuing math and science interest project patches in girl scouts, and joining the girl scouts as a means to study science and leadership.
3. A shift in engagement and commitment
This project involves numerous Girl Scout leaders, teachers, school counselors, school systems, parents, and women scientists. We hope to create a mentoring program composed of these volunteers that will nurture these girls as they approach college.
Fredericksburg Parent and Family's Back to School Expo was a success thanks to an autograph opportunity with Twilight star Peter Facinelli. Thousands of fans lined the mall and received information on eye exams, tutoring services, dance, music, and karate schools, and many other facilities in and around Fredericksburg.
