science at SMC
By KATIE McVOY
News Writer
Saint Mary's hosted the 10th annual Hypatia Day Saturday.
Sponsored by the mathematics, chemistry, biology and nursing departments, Hypatia Day offers seventh-grade girls the opportunity to explore the importance of women in mathematics and the sciences. The event encourages girls' interests in math and science.
"At this age they're very excited about math and science," said Colleen Hoover, who has run the event for three years. "In the high school years, there is a big drop in interest and now is the time to make a strong statement saying `yes, you should take the hardest classes you can, and yes, you should work to succeed.'"
This year's Hypatia Day had record success with 125 girls and 140 parents attended. Teachers recommended each girl because of her interest and ability in mathematics and science.
The day began with keynote speaker Tanya Ryskind, who has been a part of Hypatia Day for the past several years. Ryskind, a past counselor and lawyer, currently works at Brookeview Montessori School.
The girls attended morning and afternoon sessions of nursing, chemistry and physics, biology or math.
For its session, the mathematics department showed the versatility of the subject. The girls in attendance made hexaflexagons, three-sided folded papers, and origami boxes.
"I think this was very important," said Cindy Traub, student head of the math segment. "Anything you can do to turn people on to mathematics, whether it's folding paper or working in a group, is a big success.
"There are fewer women interested in math than men," she added. "Girls do better in math at a younger age, but then interest drops off. Something like Hypatia Day can get them fired up."
Other Hypatia Day participants had the option of making slime and silly putty as well as working with bulbs and batteries with the chemistry and physics department.
"I think it's very helpful to get teenage girls into the lab and show them how it works," said senior Emily Koelsch, who was in charge of the chemistry and physics segments. "They need to know that labs are places where women work just as well as anyone else. The hands-on experience shows them that they can do it."
However, to many of the participants the exposure to college-aged women who were excited about math and science really made the day a success.
"It was a real-world experience," Koelsch said. "We showed them that chemistry can be fun. Here are college-aged women who really love chemistry. That is a wonderful thing for girls to see."
"The girls got to work so closely with college women and see how excited they are about science," Hoover said. "That kind of experience is invaluable."
All News Stories for Tuesday, February 29, 2000
