Girls STEAM Ahead Inspires Future Scientific Leaders

    ST. LOUIS, MO, June 25, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- A new generation of girls has discovered a love for science, thanks to the inaugural Girls STEAM Ahead, a program sponsored by Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.

Last week, more than 60 girls in grades two through 12 from across eastern Missouri attended the program, held at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and St. Louis Community College Center for Plant and Life Sciences at BRDG Park in St. Louis. Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri teamed up with the not-for-profit plant research institute to create the program, which inspired girls to get involved in science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM).

Brownie Girl Scouts, in second and third grade, explored the biology and anatomy of plants, while Junior Girl Scouts in fourth and fifth grade programmed mini computers to make time-lapse videos of plants growing. Cadette Girl Scouts in sixth through eighth grade explored plants on the cellular level, using microscopes to learn about organelles, and mortars, pestles and chromatography paper to discover the wide array of pigments in plants. Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts extracted DNA from strawberries, and studied CSI techniques to solve a crime. Each girl received a distinctive lab coat, safety goggles and certificate marking her completion of the program.

The Girl Scouts received hands-on instruction from 34 leading female scientists, who served as role models and mentors throughout the 3-day program. The girls worked with a range of technology and specialized equipment to discover the science behind plants.

"The women scientists of the Danforth Center tremendously enjoyed three days of art and science activities with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri," said Toni Kutchan, Danforth Plant Science Center Vice President for Research and Oliver M. Langenberg Distinguished Investigator. "The inaugural STEAM camp generated excitement and enthusiasm all around. The future looks bright for science, technology, engineering and math careers for these young women."

Programs created in collaboration with community businesses like the Danforth Center helps prepare girls to be the leaders of tomorrow, producing a pipeline of future workers for local companies.

"I'm really into the science field particularly the area of biofuels to grow plants for energy," said Girl Scout Haley Huntley, a junior at Eureka High School. "The possibilities in the environmental field interest me too. I was able to learn how to extract DNA from a strawberry with shampoo!"
Girl Scout Shayla Jones, an eighth-grader at Central Middle School in Ferguson, said she didn't like science before attending the program. "I'm starting to like it now," she said. "I didn't know science could be fun. When I'm in class, science is boring, but being here I've learned it can be fun."

Girls STEAM Ahead helped the Girls Scouts develop skills in observing, capturing and articulating discoveries with art and science. STEM is one of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri's three programmatic focus areas, in addition to Money Management and Health. While women represent more than half of all college-educated workers in the country, they make up less than 28 percent of science and engineering workers. Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri is dedicated to providing girls with the knowledge and confidence in these subjects to pursue classes and careers in the fields.

"I am incredibly impressed by the accomplishments of the girls who attended Girls STEAM Ahead," said Bonnie Barczykowski, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri CEO. "One day, these girls will credit their experiences in this program as the catalyst for their love of science. We are so thankful for community partners like the Danforth Center for dedicating their time and efforts to the next generation of scientists."

About Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri
Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri is committed to building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. To join, volunteer or donate to Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, call 800.727.GIRL (800.727.4475) or visit http://www.girlscoutsem.org. Girl Scouts is a proud United Way member and is supported by the following United Way agencies: United Way of Greater St. Louis, United Way of the Mark Twain Area, United Way of Adair County/Northeast Missouri and Franklin County Area United Way. Follow Girl Scouts on...Twitter http://twitter.com/GirlScoutsEM and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/GirlScoutsEasternMO.

About The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Founded in 1998, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a not-for-profit research institute with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science. Research aims to feed the hungry and improve human health, preserve and renew the environment and position the St. Louis region as a world center for plant science. The Center's work is funded through competitive grants and contract revenue from many sources, including the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Agency for International Development, the Bill & Melinda Gates and Howard G. Buffett Foundations. Follow us on Twitter at @DanforthCenter.

About BRDG Park at the Danforth Center
Bio Research & Development Growth (BRDG) Park at the Danforth Plant Science Center helps life science companies bridge research, resources and relationships to achieve commercial success. In addition to providing world-class wet laboratories, office space and a prominent incubator, BRDG Park's location on the Danforth Center's campus facilitates access to the intellectual capital of top scientists, as well as to greenhouses, growth chambers, microscopy and proteomics facilities and other vital resources. Located in suburban St. Louis County, Missouri, BRDG Park is being developed by Wexford Science +Technology LLC, a BioMed Realty Company, a development company led by a seasoned team of real estate, finance and engineering experts specializing in major university facilities and science research parks nationwide. More information is available at http://www.BRDG-Park.com.

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