If you like Joanne Loves Science, you can thank Alan Alda
If you have the time, watch Alan Alda (of MASH fame) talk about his role on Scientific American Frontiers, a science TV show that ran from 1993-2007. (BTW, the audiobook version of Never Have Your Dog Stuffed: And Other Things I’ve Learned
In a way, we have Alan to thank for the inception of my website/blog ‘Joanne Loves Science’ and my foray into social media.
My “Dream Job”
Several years ago, as I was standing in front of a section of my “Cell Culture and Concepts of Tissue Engineering” lab class at the University of Illinois, I introduced a video segment from Scientific American Frontiers with Alan Alda. In this program, Mr. Alda traveled to numerous laboratories across the world to inquire about their research, bringing the audience along with him. He figured if the scientists could make their research understandable to him, then the general public would understand it, too!
To my surprise, the sentence “He’s doing my dream job!” tumbled out of my mouth.
Wait a minute!
SciGirls #STEMchat (and doing some “sloth”-ing in Costa Rica)
I’ve been a constant supporter (and occasional viewer) of the Emmy Award-winning series on PBS KIDS called SciGirls. They have been on the air for three seasons featuring teams of girls ages 12-14 who are involved in science activities in their homes and communities. This is a very important age to reach girls about science and their show is quite engaging! In fact, a few years back, I learned from one of their producers that their main audience is girls YOUNGER than the girls on the show, and this is how kids programming usually works, the younger kids are inspired by slightly older kids doing science.
The team at SciGirls wants all of us to join in to do science, and to that end they are encouraging participation in Citizen Science via some projects at Sci Starter. To help them along in spreading the word, a group of us STEM enthusiasts will be coming together to talk about girls in science and citizen science in particular on twitter this Thursday night at the hashtag, #STEMchat.
I was only narrowly recruited for this chat as I leave the next day to head to Costa Rica to hangout with some sloths and the researchers, naturalists and rescuers who work with them. Stay tuned for some adorableness! If my signal is good, I’ll be Vining, Instagramming, tweeting, G+ ing and Periscoping! I’m in most places as @sciencegoddess.
The following details are lifted directly from The Maker Mom’s blog:
#STEMchat will take place on 5/21 from 9 – 10 PM Eastern.
We’ve got an awesome panel of grown-up SciGirls to help lead our #STEMchat on Citizen Science:
@SciGirls, SciGirls is an Emmy Award-winning PBS KIDS TV show, website and outreach program that seeks to change how girls think about STEM.
@CoopSciScoop, Caren Cooper, a bird-loving biologist and blogger who is literally writing the book on citizen science.
@ScienceGoddess, Joanne Manaster, Read Science host, STEM advocate, biology lecturer, and former international model.
@TheSpaceGal, Emily Calandrelli, promoter of science literacy, space exploration and equality. She’s also the host and producer of the Show Xploration Outer Space. Read her STEM Girl Friday Feature.
@VeronicaEye, Veronica Arreola, a nationally-recognized professional advocate for girls and women in STEM who is also a speaker and writer. Read her STEM Girl Friday feature.
And @KimMoldofsky, also known as The Maker Mom and founder of #STEMchat who has yet to author a book.
Join me tomorrow night! I’m excited to talk about getting everyone involved with science!
Follow SciGirls on twitter and like them on Facebook!
10 years ago Girls in STEM, Kids in STEM, sloths, STEM • Tags: Citizen Science, Costa Rica, middle school girls, PBS, PBS KIDS, SciGirls, Sloths, STEM, STEM chat, TV