What is STEM?

The STEM initiative encourages girls to learn more about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. How many times have you heard (or said) "I don’t like science or math – it’s boring!" See if you think this is boring:

Diane France, Bone Detective: "Analyzing skeletons leads Diane all around the world and back in time. She’s studied the skeletons of the murdered Russian royal family, the Romanovs, and peered into the eye sockets of the American outlaw, Jesse James. On display in her Colorado lab are plastic casts of eight skulls belonging to American Civil War soldiers. Diane’s company, France Casting, makes handmade casts, or detailed copies, of bones for museum exhibits, classroom teaching tools, and forensic investigations. She’s created casts of early living settlers, soldiers, sailors, outlaws, and even a tiger’s tongue."

Adriana Ocampo, Planetary Geologist: "Using satellites and robotic spacecraft, Adriana analyzes rocks on planets, moons, and other solid bodies in space to learn their history and formation. By studying the properties of rocks—their chemistry, scars, colors, and textures—Adriana works to unlock the mysteries of our Solar System’s geological past."

Amy Vedder, Wildlife Biologist: "Amy spent a year and a half climbing the slopes of volcanoes while observing Group 5—a family of wild mountain gorillas. Amy recorded the gorillas’ movements and the foods they ate. The gorillas were also curious about Amy! The youngsters—Pablo, Muraha, Tuck, and Poppy—would often tug at her bootlaces, pick at her freckles, and steal her backpack. One day Ziz, an 8-year-old, pounded on Amy’s back inviting her to play and knocked the wind out of her!"

This information was borrowed from the website, www.iwaswondering.org  – check it out and say "Hi!" to Lila! If you are interested in learning more and trying more STEM "stuff", try some of the following cool sites:

• http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/inventions/index.html  Create cool inventions, play some games – try the Troll Beauty Contest!

• www.engineeringsights.org  Take a virtual tour of some of the greatest engineering marvels in the USA. How many have you been to? It may surprise you!

• http://scratch.mit.edu/download  - http://www.alice.org/  Are two sites where you can download free software that will teach you how to make your own cartoons and games! Ask an adult before you download the programs; Scratch is from MIT and Microsoft and

• Alice is from Carnegie Melon. Try your hand at cartooning, and keep watching the council website for information about contests and workshops!

• http://spaceplace.jpl.nasa.gov/en/kids/girlscouts/index.shtml  Is the link for NASA’s jet propulsion lab. These are activities that will help you with some badge and IP requirements

• http://www.planet-science.com/wired/start.html  Planet Science is a company in the United Kingdom. Check out some of their cool games here.

• http://www.planet-science.com/outthere/sugar/coolcall.html  Customize your cool call phone here – lots of cool facts, beauty tips, and of course, cute boy pictures!

• http://forensics.rice.edu/  Is the online home of CSI Web Adventures. Try your hand at some forensic analysis with some characters from the hit TV show CSI: Las Vegas.