Sometimes our partner content from STEM Kids Chicago is too good to keep over there. So I'm sharing our updated guide to STEM Camps for Girls. Although several of the locations are Chicago-specific, some of the camps, like those from our sponsor, Girls Who Code Campus, are offered nationally. I know that some parents prefer an all-girls environment for their daughters and I want to help those parents find the right girls-only option. Most of ... [ Read More ]
Girls Who Code Summer Program 2018
Registration is open for the Girls Who Code Chicago Summer Immersion Program. This selective, hands-on, seven-week summer program is growing once again. This year they will host programs in 17 cities around the country, including Chicago, Charlotte, Austin, Atlanta, Boston, Miami, LA, NYC, Seattle, Newark, DC, and around the San Francisco Bay Area. The Summer Immersion Program helps them grow their tech skills and build personal networks in the ... [ Read More ]
Meet the Maker: Sasha Neri
With The National Week of Making, June 16-22, 2017, just around the corner, this is the perfect time to introduce you to Sasha Neri, a maker and shaker from the #ChicagoMakes scene. Sasha is a librarian with superpowers. Although her formal title is Librarian II at the Chicago Public Library, her role is that of creative director of the Maker Lab at the Harold Washington Library, the gem of CPL. Sasha's superpowers not only include the prowess ... [ Read More ]
Meet Chicago Food Scientist and Gumologist, Gwen Graff
As part of my new weekly video interview series, I met with Chicago food scientist, Gwen Graff. We had such a lively conversation before I turned the camera on I was worried that we had used up all of our good words and energy. (Hi, I'm an introvert.) But no, after I turned the camera on, we had a similar, but equally great conversation! Only the video file was corrupt, so you'll just have to take my word for it. Because Gwen is awesome, despite ... [ Read More ]
Women in Space: It’s STEM Girl Friday
It's heartening to hear so much praise for Hidden Figures, the movie (based on the book) about the important, but long-overlooked, role of Black women the Space Race. Keeping to my basic life rule, I'm trying to finish the book before I see the movie. That said, Joanne Manaster of Read Science has assured me that Hidden Figures is the rare movie that may actually make the book a more exciting read. Regardless, if you or your kids loved the movie, ... [ Read More ]
Meet Maanasa Mendu: America’s Top Young Scientist of 2016
Maanasa Mendu is the winner of the 2016 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge for 5-8th graders. As a result, she earned the title of America’s Top Young Scientist for her energy-harvesting invention. In addition to that flattering title, she won $25,000, a chance to work with a 3M scientist mentor and other prizes. I thought you'd all like to get to know her a bit better. Please note that this is not a sponsored post, but I'm a ... [ Read More ]
Five Reasons to Buy Your Daughter a Drone
The Chicago Drone Racers demonstrated their skills at the Chicago Northside Mini Maker Faire. Their members navigated their drones at high speeds with impressive precision. It was cool, but something was missing from the scene: women and girls. Which (spoiler alert) is the top reason you should buy drones for your girls this year. Five Reasons to Buy Your Daughter a Drone Drones, also referred to as UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), and UASs ... [ Read More ]