DENVER – Feb. 21 – The Denver Museum of Nature & Science and CBS4, KCNC-TV, will host the third annual Girls and Science, a one-day event on Saturday, March 4 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. All ages are welcome. Activities will be oriented to children ages 8 to 13.
Twenty-five organizations will host Science Clubhouses, a unique spin on the traditional career fair in which women working in STEAM fields use activities and conversations to encourage girls to explore and step into careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Clubhouse hosts share stories of how they were inspired to pursue a STEAM field, answer questions about their jobs, and offer activities that let girls and their families try careers on, test them out, and play.
“The hands on activities that each scientist creates for the girls and families really get them involved – doing and experimenting like the Clubhouse scientists themselves. And, when you layer on the interactions those young guests have with the Clubhouse scientists, you can see the magic happening – sparking excitement, curiosity and questions,” said Nancy Walsh, the Museum’s vice president of strategic partnerships and programs. “We hope Girls and Science continues to reinforce the positive message that science is fun and that science is for girls.”
“This is my third year hosting a clubhouse and what I really love about Girls & Science is that it encourages girls to be the next generation of scientists,” CBS4 Meteorologist Lauren Whitney said. “There are so many great STEAM careers and I am honored to have an opportunity to help motivate girls to pursue their dreams.”
According to the National Science Foundation, in 2013, women constituted only 29% of science and engineering workers, although they accounted for half of the college-educated workforce overall. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science and CBS4, KCNC-TV, host this event to encourage all students to pursue their interests in science, technology, engineering, art and math in the hopes of playing a role in achieving greater representation and eventually parity among women and minorities in these careers.
The event is included with general admission for all Museum guests. Children and teens ages 3 to 18 will receive a discounted admission of $4. Tickets to the IMAX 3D films “Dream Big: Engineering Our World” and “Extreme Weather” will be 50 percent off and must be purchased first come, first served onsite the day of the event. Organized youth groups will receive free admission with advance reservations. Other discounts and scholarships are available to cover admission costs; call 303-370-6000 or visit www.dmns.org/girlsandscience for details.
Girls and Science is sponsored by MWH (now part of Stantec), Anadarko, API, Colorado School of Mines, Level3 Communications and Xcel Energy with support from SparkFun and Telemundo Denver.
Limited parking is available for free at the Museum; please consider alternative transportation. For more information about the event and to meet some of the Clubhouse scientists, visit www.dmns.org/girlsandscience.
About the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain Region’s leading resource for informal science education. Our mission is to be a catalyst and ignite the community’s passion for nature and science. The Museum offers a wide variety of engaging exhibitions, programs, activities and scientific research to inspire public appreciation and understanding of the wonders of Colorado, Earth and the universe. The Museum is located at 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO, 80205. Information: dmns.org or 303.370.6000. Many of the Museum’s educational programs and exhibits are made possible in part by the citizens of the seven-county metro area through the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District. The Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Connect with the Museum on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About CBS4
CBS4, KCNC-TV—Denver, is part of CBS Television Stations, a division of CBS Corporation.