Women in Technical Studies Will Lead Science Experiments in Glitter Slime, Lava Lamps, Lemon Volcanoes & More

Loveland, Colorado — (March 20, 2017) — Alpha Sigma Kappa, Women in Technical Studies, will present its first-ever ASK Science Day March 29 at Colorado State University. Participants and scientists of all ages will have the opportunity to conduct experiments with homemade lava lamps, lemon volcanoes, rainbow paper, glitter slime, and slime sun-catchers. The event will be from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in Lory Student Center, room 322, on the CSU campus. “Everyone is welcome,” emphasizes Danika Hornick, the organization’s philanthropy chair. “Participants will be able to take their experiments home.” Tickets will be on sale at the door March 29 for $7.

Doing Good for Girls in STEM

Alpha Sigma Kappa is donating 100 percent of proceeds from the event to Pretty Brainy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering girls and young women in STEM, or science, technology, engineering, and math. Pretty Brainy, headquartered in Loveland, Colorado, empowers girls in science and math by respecting them as scientists and engineers and making it socially appealing to pursue STEM interests. Founder Heidi Olinger says, “Members of Alpha Sigma Kappa have mentored girls in Pretty Brainy since we first built mentoring into the heart of every service learning program we do.” She continues, “As engineers, scientists, and philanthropists, these are the women you want mentoring your daughter.”

Why Good Science Is Akin to Play

ASK Science Day will be an opportunity for the community to experience how playing and having fun are akin to being a good scientist. This subject is presented by neuroscientist Beau Lotto in his 2012 TEDGlobal Talk, “Science Is for Everyone, Kids Included.” In the talk, Lotto shares how science gives humans the chance to “step into the world of uncertainty through the process of play.” He also describes science experimentation with bees conducted by children ages 8 to 10. One of those children, Amy O’Toole, who shares the TED stage with Lotto, says, “Science isn’t just a boring subject. Anyone can discover something new. You just need an opportunity.”

Thanks to Alpha Sigma Kappa, the public will have that opportunity March 29.

About Alpha Sigma Kappa, Women in Technical Studies

Alpha Sigma Kappa is a sorority of engineers and scientists. While women have a growing presence in STEM, the low number of women in STEM classrooms, on the job, and in other professional settings has been a contributing factor to the barriers and challenges to progress a majority of women experience. For example, as Professors Nadya Fouad and Romila Singh of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee report, “Twenty percent of engineering school graduates, but only 11 percent of practicing engineers are women.” These results are despite decades of interventions by schools, the federal government, and employers to increase women’s representation in STEM.

Consequently, Alpha Sigma Kappa academically and professionally supports members while creating community. Members include women majoring in engineering, architecture and the sciences, including math, physics, chemistry, and computer science. The chapter at Colorado State University was established March 28, 2015, and the Science Day event marks the 2-year anniversary for the chapter.

About Pretty Brainy

Pretty Brainy leverages girls’ affinity for service learning, philanthropy and social entrepreneurship to engage them in math and science in the real world. Olinger explains, “Girls want to make things that matter. We provide learning, materials, experience in forming critical questions, and the opportunity to collaborate and be part of a community of like-minded girls and women.” As participant Anoushka Sarna says of her experience contributing to a Habitat for Humanity home through Pretty Brainy, “We’re doing math for a reason and we get to apply it to what we’re doing.”

For More Information

For more information about ASK Science Day and Alpha Sigma Kappa/Women in Technical Studies, contact Danika Hornick at phil.asktheta@gmail.com.

For more information about Pretty Brainy, contact Heidi Olinger at ideas@prettybrainy.com.

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Pretty Brainy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of empowering girls to gain STEAM – science, technology, engineering, art and math. Our vision is to empower 2 million girls, by 2025, to develop their STEAM abilities and genius to positively impact their communities and world. We empower girls by recognizing them as the thinkers, problem-solvers, leaders, and innovators who are and will continue to make their world a better place. Pretty Brainy gives girls experiences in STEAM through which they benefit by innovating for those in the world around them. It’s service learning for the 21st century.