What do Bluetooth, DNA, and radium have in common? They were all discovered by female scientists.
Students at Seabury middle school this week were inundated with expert speakers and teachers this week. On the second Tuesday of October, Seabury celebrates a special day with the goal of convincing young female students to consider careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). According to the American Association of University Women women still only make up 28% of the STEM workforce. It is believed that women are systematically steered out of those education tracks.
Ada Lovelace Day has become a holiday to promote women in STEM. Ada has become a figurehead for this movement because she bucked the gender stereotypes of her time and became a skilled mathematician. Some consider her the first computer programmer. At Seabury we celebrate this day by inviting women professionals to take over the day and teach us, do hands-on science with us, and give us advice. All genders enjoy these experiences.
This year we were visited by personal trainer Mandi Marquardt, architect Sonja Barteck, neuropsychologist Dr. Audrey Don, Dr. Jamie Brooks and her associates Brenda and Kayla from Brooks Dental Studio, pediatrician Dr. Diane Bartels, and gifted education specialist Ruth Maitlen.
We learned how to suture a wound, how to make a microscope, how the brain learns, about optical illusions in architecture, all about Ada Lovelace and everything a physical trainer does to keep athletes at peak performance.
