Tired of nagging your kids about their science projects? Tell them that, these days, science is cooler than ever. President Barack Obama hosted a national science fair at the White House earlier this week, showcasing some of the nation’s brightest and most talented youth. Winners of prestigious science and engineering competitions came from all over the United States to demonstrate inventions, such as one that will curb texting while driving, and research, including attempts to cure certain types of cancer.
At the White House Science Fair, excited kids came to Washington, D.C., with parents, sponsors, and teammates to meet the president and other young people who are interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Many kids brought inventions and innovations inspired by themes of social responsibility and community improvement. The Discovery Channel’s “mythbusters”Jaime Hyneman and Adam Savage and Bill Nye “the science guy” were on hand to meet the young science enthusiasts.
The first exhibit I saw focused on engineering: Several Girl Scouts controlled robots that patrolled a hallway. In the main exhibit room, crowds of people surrounded the various displays. Four girls won an award by building a futuristic model city designed for a region in Turkey that is near an earthquake fault line. The girls beamed with pride as they showed their model city to everyone who attended. At another display, two young girls exhibited a special kind of ink and a unique printer that could erase ink on previously used pieces of paper and reprint up to seven times. The girls won a contest sponsored by Toshiba, and the company is currently looking into how to harness the technology for everyday use.
After touring the exhibits and talking with the contestants, the president made a short speech about U.S. students’ lagging performances in STEM subjects and the administration’s commitment to tackling this problem. He outlined solutions that involved changing governmental policy, supporting parents and teachers, and encouraging kids’ interest in STEM and their participation in contests like the ones showcased at the White House Science Fair. President Obama also praised several young people whose experiments were created to help others, including two Latino boys who sold tamales in order to build a better automated chair to assist a classmate who has a disability. He also called on tech companies to continue to host science and technology fairs that offer scholarships and opportunities for young people.
The science fair leads up to the USA Science & Engineering Festival, which will take place on the National Mall in D.C. this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. At the festival, AAUW and hundreds of other organizations will offer fun, hands-on activities for kids of all ages. AAUW’s booth will be located near Pennsylvania Avenue between 13th and 14th streets.
AAUW members engage women and girls in STEM projects at local events across the nation through the National Girls Collaborative Project, Tech Trek math and science camps, the GEMS Club (Girls Excelling in Math and Science), and other STEM initiatives. These efforts seek to increase the opportunities for women and girls in STEM.
Stop by the USA Science & Engineering Festival in D.C. on October 23–24 and find out how you can join the movement to get girls excited about science!
This post was written by Ana Kay Yaghoubian, AAUW Program Associate, National Girls Collaborative Project.
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