Program cultivates interests in young female scientists

Photo by Neil Brake

Sasha Pfotenhauer, Stephanie Jones, Erin Spurlock (left to right) and other participants in the third annual "It's a GAS" program, used liquid nitrogen in the process of making ice cream.

Dressed in colorful T-shirts and shorts, a group of 33 rising ninth-graders spent a week building parachutes for eggs, making and eating ice cream, and talking about movies -- all in the name of science.

The girls were participants in one of four "It's a GAS (Girls and Science)" camps held at Vanderbilt this summer. Designed to foster girls' interest in science, program organizers hope their interest might grow into a career one day. The weeklong day camps were held for rising eighth and ninth graders.

Organizers for the third annual GAS camps were right on target with their philosophy that educators should encourage women to advance in science. The National Council of Research recognized the need for women to be involved in science in a recent report titled "Balancing the Equation: Where are Women and Girls in Science, Engineering and Technology." The NCR calls on educators to help increase women's interest in the topics.

The "classes" were held in a courtyard at the Stevenson Center as well as in a more traditional laboratory setting, where the young scientists approached science from a hands-on perspective.

"In school, they're scared of being wrong and here they can make mistakes and learn from them," said Emily Munson, a graduate student studying science education at Peabody College. "The girls are really interested and excited to be here."

The camp was the definition of casual: picture a group of girls sitting on the floor, or plopping onto concrete benches amidst a sea of lunch bags and coolers. It seemed like the continuous intrusive noise of nearby construction would shatter the girls' concentration, but their attention was unwavering.

Twelve counselors ranging from teachers, graduate students, undergraduate students and high school students were on hand to assist and instruct the participants.

During the camp, different subjects were covered each day including biology, physics, chemistry and environment science. On the last day of camp, the girls attended a career panel made up of women scientists, signed T-shirts and completed their last fun project at the camp: using liquid nitrogen to make ice cream.

On physics day, Becky Miles, a 1995 Vanderbilt graduate, explained how air resistance affects the rate of descent of egg parachutes. The assignment was to make 33 parachutes in three different sizes. Eleven groups were responsible for making three parachutes, one of each size. The materials for the parachute included plastic garbage bags, string, plastic sandwich bags and an egg. After listening carefully, the girls began working.

"Just cut [the garbage bag] open, like it's one sheet," Yunji Wu politely instructed her classmate.

Once the bag was cut and spread out like a sheet, the group began measuring the squares in perfect sync, intent on making accurate measurements.

"Is it slanted? We don't know if it's straight," asked participant Lauren Deas.

In almost quilting bee form, they cut their squares correctly by lining up ruler marks. "Hello Miss Suzie Homemaker," exclaimed student Marian Barnes.

The quiet discussions about how to construct the parachutes were heard amongst the sound of crinkling plastic. One of the counselors, East Literature Magnet teacher Sarah Shepherd, ascended a circular outdoor staircase and called out to the girls, "I want you in spitting distance! You're too far away and I can't spit that far."

The groups moved closer so that Shepherd could explain how to drop the parachutes. Three girls at a time dropped their parachutes from the balcony, each hoping their egg would fall safely to the ground. A cracked egg meant their parachute did not allow enough air to slow it down. Each of the smallest parachutes dropped quickly to the ground, splattering the eggs. Some of the medium-sized parachutes held the same fate, while others landed softly, eggs intact.

Referring to a Disney movie was another way to help the girls relate to the complicated nature of physics. Shepherd asked the girls if they had seen the movie, Operation Dumbo Drop. In the movie, a very large elephant needed to be moved from one location to another. The elephant was eventually dropped by parachute to its destination, requiring a special design to descend to the ground safely.

The girls spent the rest of the week in a variety of hands-on projects such as testing for lead at the Woodbine Community Center and building models of lungs.

"I feel very strongly that this is a critical time for girls in science and this camp offers them the opportunity to see that science can be fun and that they can can succeed in science," said Virginia Shepherd, professor of medicine pathology and GAS director.

The GAS camp is a University-wide endeavor. Major funders include the School of Medicine, the Women's Center, the Women's Studies Program and the Opportunity Development Center. This year's camp was held in partnership with the Center for Health Services.