SciGirls 2014-15 Lineup

Welcome to SciGirls MN!

SciGirls MN is a collaboration and exploration science program based on the local TV series SciGirls.  This is a drop off program designed to expose young ladies to STEM opportunities, build lasting friendships, and gain confidence. All events are planned with the principles of "The SciGirls Seven"

Here's what we have in our 2014-2015 school year SciGirls lineup:

*Each class will run from 10-2 on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, and will meet at a local library, or at a field trip destination within close proximity to St.Paul/Minneapolis.*

September 10th - "This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!"  The girls will get to know each other this month, while they use circuits and electricity to make a beautiful fashion accessory.  Bring a black tee-shirt, and we'll iron on the SciGirls logo for the girls to proudly wear (they can wear it each month when they come).

October 8th - "Heart to Heart"  This month the girls will construct a medical device and discover how the human heart works.  The University of Minnesota will provide our afternoon activity, as we learn about medical devices and play a life size "Operation" game.

November 12th -"Social Science"  This month we're doing something a bit different!  The girls will meet up at a fancy restaurant, dressed in their finest clothes.  An etiquette expert will come in to teach the girls how to properly greet others, show respect to their host, proper dining manners, and how & why to write a proper thank you note. Receive her back a perfect lady, just in time for the holidays! *note - this class is only 2 hours long*

December 10th - "Art, Science, and Our Community" Using passive solar energy, the girls will be given a challenge to build a house that maintains heat in our climate, work together to design and build the house, collect data, and analyze their results.  We'll also brighten the day of a few girls by doing a Christmas service project (each girl will be asked to bring in a few items as part of this service project) to benefit girls living in a women's shelter.

January 14th - "No Slip Grip" Physics is fun!  This month they'll do experiments to predict the amount of friction different surfaces will create, and what will happen if different levels of force are applied.  Then, they'll test out their knowledge on an ice skating rink!

February 11th -  Drop your daughter off at the Science Museum today!  The girls will participate in a really cool lab class.  After lunch, the girls will have free reign to explore the museum.  Moms and siblings are welcome to come to part II of this class to walk around with their daughters, if they'd like.

March 11th - "This Bitter Be Good"  Oh, it will be!  This month the girls will find out why some people like different foods, and why some people don't.  They'll test the glucosinolates in various veggies, design a taste test, and evaluate their results.  Find out what Mad Science has to say about this crazy thing called chemistry!

April 8th - "Grab and Go" Make technology do what you want it to do. This month, they'll design and build a mechanical arm that can actually lift things.  Afterwards the girls will enter the world of tech with a super cool field trip!

May 13th - "Ecosystems" This month, the girls will meet up at Eloise Butler Wildflower Sanctuary.  The event will be hosted by a local naturalist and SciGirls celebrity.  For part II of this class, the kids will use their knowledge of ecosystems to build their own!

June 10th - "Harness the Sun"  It's time to say "good bye until next year" to their new friends!  Live in the future and cook lunch in a solar oven, and be a historian by documenting all the fun they had all year in a memorable scrapbook.

What a great year!  We're looking forward to having your daughter sign up!  This class is limited to 16 girls.  $160 for everything!

To register:  Call or email Leslie at 651-270-9394 or leslie@stphr.com

FAQ's

What will a normal day look like?

All non-field trip classes will begin by viewing the SciGirls episode that corresponds to the activity we're doing that day.  Afterwards, the girls will break into groups, receive a challenge, and work together to complete their task.  When they're done, the groups will present their findings to each other.  Then, they will have lunch, and free time to chat, giggle, and play.  During the second half of class, they'll explore the month's topic as it's used in the field, with demonstrations, mentor visits, games, and fun!

Can I stay and watch the class?

No, this is a drop off class.  You may choose to come for the second half of the February class, when the girls explore the Science Museum, if you want.  Don't worry, we'll take lots of pictures!

Can my son join this group?

No. Although SciGirls as a whole welcomes everyone, this particular group is an all-girl group.  

My daughter is only 6, but she's brilliant.  Can she join?

No, this group is specifically for girls between the ages of 8-13.

Is there anything else I should know?

Yes!  Along with the monthly class lineup above, the girls will have several other opportunities.  

1) They will participate in a citizen science project, in which they'll get to do research and make observations on an ongoing basis.  Their work will help a real scientist!

2)  We'll have a blog to maintain, and data to upload to the SciGirls website.  Any girl that's interested in assisting us with technology, is welcome.  We'll take volunteers at our first meeting.

3)  Over the course of the year, other events may come up that we want to participate in (geocaching? service projects?).  We'll keep in contact with parents when events come up.

4) The girls will earn a badge each month.  Awesome!

SciGirls is produced for PBS by tpt National Productions and is made possible by the National Science Foundation. Additional support by L’Oreal USA’s For Girls in Science program, Northrup Grumman Foundation, and PPG Industries Foundation. SciGirls ®/© 2013 Twin Cities Public Television, Inc. All rights reserved. SciGirls, the characters and related indicia are trademarks / service marks of Twin Cities Public Television, Inc. Used with permission. pbskids.org/scigirls