Yes, we already have an awesome Chicago STEM Summer Camp Guide, but we’re aware that some parents prefer an all-girls environment for their daughters. As Chicago’s leading STEM and STEAM resource for families, we want to make it easy to find the right girls-only option. So here's our 2020 updated guide to STEM Camps for Girls. Although several of the locations are Chicago-specific, some of the camps, like Girls Who Code Campus, are offered ... [ 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 ]
Yellow Scope Acids and Bases Kit
I've been following Yellow Scope, a company founded by two STEM moms that makes science kits for girls, since their beginning. I was excited to see that they expanded their line with a new kit, Acids and Bases. I was sent the new Yellow Scope Acids and Bases kit for review. I passed it along to my friend Kristina and her 10-year-old daughter, Linnea, whose eyes lit up when I mentioned the opportunity to test it out. Yellow Scope Acids and ... [ Read More ]