Think Like A Scientist

In an article in US News and World Report (8/29) Anthony Murphy, executive director of the National Center for STEM Elementary Education at St. Catherine University wrote ”  Effective teachers with content knowledge in science and mathematics play a key role in student achievement.” If we want our students to comprehend important science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts then we must provide STEM training opportunities for elementary teachers. Unlike middle and high school teachers who have a degree or minor in their subject areas, elementary teachers are generalists. Additionally, Murphy believes that STEM education experiences should begin at the elementary level, and possibly younger.

The Science Cheerleaders will perform this weekend October 23-24, 2010 in Washington, D.C., at the USA Science and Engineering Festival. The Science Cheerleaders group are made up of professional cheerleaders who have degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math in the (STEM) fields. The Science Cheerleaders will perform science-themed routines for thousands of people, conduct a free cheer clinic, meet the public, sign their Science Cheerleader cards, and describe how they merged cheering and their STEM careers. For more information on the Science Cheerleader schedule during the USA Science and Engineering Festival check out the Science Cheerleader site. The Science Cheerleaders are great role models for young women to pursue careers in the STEM fields. Demonstrating that you can be pretty, and smart too! Too often the general public has envisioned scientists to have a geeky, nerdy look, which is quite alright too!