Horace Mann - Summer 2016 - 20

photo by Jasmin Ortiz Photo by Barry L. Mason Women in Science & Engineering (WISE) Girls participating in HM's WISE program explored chemistry and rocketry, among other STEM subjects, throughout the year. Sonia had the chance to begin WISE as a kindergartener. Sonia's parent, alumna Adrienne Fields '96, said that her daughter loves all science in the Lower Division and reports that "'science is really fun. Robotics is new and interesting.'" While Sonia's current focus may not be on doing science separately from the boys in her class, she enjoys the opportunity to just do more science. "Sonia would participate in another program like this any day. She truly enjoyed the experience," Fields said, noting that months after her Saturday morning science session Sonia remembered the "really cool" robotics and electricity experiments the girls did. "Sonia especially liked seeing the purple electrical current emitted when the teacher held a pan and tube next to each other." Fields is not sure if she "would have pursued science as an extracurricular" when she was a student at HM because of her focus on arts and literature. "But, Sonia told me if I had seen all the amazing projects the girls did in the program she's certain I would have liked to do this when I was at Horace Mann." Girls only ... with opportunities for boys Questions about why HM created a program exclusively for girls inevitably arose throughout the first WISE year, but, Diaz reports, these questions have become fewer and far between. "When I announced the June Camp and told students that we would also be offering science experiences for girls during the year, I explained why this program is just for girls," Diaz said. "Obviously for me, in running this program, I am very mindful about separating boys and girls. I've told the students we recognize there is a gender gap in science education that needs to be addressed." As to the initiative's early effects, Diaz said, "I've had parents tell me that their daughters never liked science until this year. When all the students come back to class after a weekend that had a science session, and see some of the projects the girls made in the Science Center, I know the girls feel good about taking ownership. They're proud to say 'we made those in WISE.' In October, around Halloween, I did an experiment in class us- 20 Horace Mann Magazine Summer 2016 ing dry ice. Several of the girls were able to explain how dry ice works, because of an experiment we did one Saturday. You can see the girls becoming empowered. "I think everyone understands the need for this kind of program," Diaz added, referring to parents and students alike. Lower Division students interested in science and technology, both boys and girls, have numerous opportunities to engage in co-curricular STEM experiences throughout the school year in class and through a new "Maker's Corner" Diaz installed in the Division's Science Center that she redesigned last summer. Equipped with a terrarium, 3-D printers, microscopes and more, the Science Center brings both natural and technological areas of STEM into the curriculum. The Maker's Corner provides a space for boys and girls to pursue interests and innovations of their own, during recess time. Students, from third grade on, now spend twosession lab periods in the Science Center doing experiments related to each grade's science studies. Diaz also invited fifth-grade girls and boys to come to HM on two Saturdays when WISE sessions were not taking place to build an entry for an international Rube Goldberg contest. Most of the girls who participated in this construction effort had also gone to WISE. Several reported that their summer and Saturday science sessions made them more confident about working with the boys. "The boys know we've done some of this before, so they listen to us. They respect us more," agreed two WISE friends. Summer 2016 brought 50 kindergarten-through-risingsixth-graders, both boys and girls, to a week-long June Camp STEM program. The following week was devoted to WISE, and brought 30 girls from every LD grade to HM to focus, this year, on chemistry and natural science. Most of the past year's WISE participants were aware that this HM program was created for their benefit. Some said they would not have minded if boys were included, but felt they "got more done" with just girls. A third grader said she came to the program because she knew she would feel more comfortable asking questions there than she does in class.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Horace Mann - Summer 2016