Science Olympiad
An
international nonprofit (http://www.soinc.org
) devoted to improving the quality of science education, creating a
passion for learning science and providing recognition for outstanding
achievement in science education by both students and teachers. Science
Olympiad builds tremendous enthusiasm for science even among students
that may not otherwise find it interesting. That may be because it is
a "team sport" with the students receiving positive feedback for academic
prowess from their peers. It could be that each student has the opportunity
to be is involved in three different events, or because participation
spans weeks or months not just one day. Science Olympiad is a tremendous
opportunity to nurture future scientists and a very concrete way to
make a difference. Besides, it's fun! There is something for everyone
to do, regardless of level of commitment. The San Diego regional competition
is held in February (http://www.geocities.com/athens/troy/7395/)
Hope
Elementary Science Day
This
event is held in March at Hope Elementary School in Carlsbad. At the
Science Day, a variety of community organizations and parents put
together hands-on activities for boys and girls to explore a number of
different areas of science. AWIS-SD has presented a variety of
different workshops to students in grades 1-5.
Greater
San Diego Science and Engineering Fair (GSDSEF)
Each
Spring, the San Diego chapter of AWIS (AWIS-SD) judges and selects its
own award winners during the Professional Organizations section of the
Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair (www.gsdsef.org).
AWIS-SD judges science fair projects submitted by middle school and
high school girls from San Diego and Imperial Counties. AWIS award winners
are selected immediately following judging. A reception for the AWIS
award winners is held in the month following the fair. This is an opportunity
to interact with some really neat young scientific ladies. One of the
2004 junior division AWIS award recipients, Shannon McClintock, took
her award winning project, "The Little Engine that Could: Enhancing
Traction Through Friction," to the Discovery Channel Young Scientist
Challenge and WON this nationwide competition. She was named "America's
Top Young Scientist of the Year."
Expanding
Your Horizons (EYH) Conference
Planning
for San Diego's annual Expanding Your Horizons (EYH) Conference
at the University of San Diego (USD) is underway. This event is a
science and technology conference for 6-10th grade girls. Attendance
typically ranges from 500 to 600 girls and 100 to 200 parents. The
Outreach Committee has provided volunteers to present a number of
different hands-on science workshops as well as volunteers for a career
panel.
The next EYH conference will be held at USD, Saturday, April 12, 2008. Katherine Maloney, an AWIS Outreach Committee member, is
co-Chairing the EYH Program Committee and would love to hear from you
if you would like to volunteer to help. Contact Katherine
at EYH_Program@yahoo.com. For more information, please visit: www.sdsa.org/eyh.
BE
WiSE (Better Education for Women in Science and Engineering)
Events
are held each April and May. The BE WiSE program is sponsored by the
San Diego Science Alliance (http://www.sdsa.org/),
and includes overnight events with hands on science activities and scientist
chaperones for middle school girls. AWIS-SD members have participated
as workshop leaders and as chaperones. BE WiSE is an organization designed
to encourage young women to pursue careers in science and engineering
through various events. For seventh and eighth grade there are overnight
events at various locations in town, such as Birch Aquarium, the San
Diego Zoo, and Sea World. For BE WiSE alumni who are in high school,
there are two Saturday events where women who are in the scientific
and engineering fields talk with the students about science and encourage
the young women to consider a career in the scientific and engineering
fields. For more information, please visit: www.sdsa.org/BEWiSE.
Sally
Ride Science Festivals
The
Sally Ride Science Festivals (www.sallyridefestivals.com)
occur in a variety of locations throughout the country. The Science
Festivals are for 5-8th grade girls. Several organizations and companies
put together hands-on activities at booths for the girls to explore
many different areas of science. In addition, there are focused activities
for girls in break out sessions and a question and answer session with
Sally Ride. The Outreach Committee has participated in Sally Ride
Science Festivals at UCSD and UC-Irvine by providing a booth with hands-on
activities.
Rolling
Readers
Is a national nonprofit organization, originating in San Diego that
works to develop successful, lifelong readers (http://www.rollingreaders.org/pages/index.htm).
The Outreach Committee participates in the organization’s Read Science
program. In this program, the volunteer reads aloud from a science-themed
book, performs a simple experiment demonstrating the principle presented
in the book, and then discusses how this concept could be applied to
or observed in everyday life. At the conclusion of the Read Science
program every child receives a science-related book to take home. Rolling
Readers will provide the curriculum, including all books and materials,
for the program.
Updated
10/03/07 LF