One thing you can chuck into the garbage—not the recycle bin, the garbage—are those old stereotypes about girls feeling ooky about science. At the first Google Science fair, three American girls swept the top spots, beating out 7,500 contestants from 91 other countries, reports Newser. com.
And these weren’t some Peter-Brady-making-a-volcano-in-the-backyard science projects either. Shree Bose, the grand-prize winner for the 17-18 year-old age category, “discovered a way to improve ovarian cancer treatment for patients who have built up a resistance to chemotherapy drugs,” Newser says. Naomi Shah “explored the link between pollutants and respiratory disease,” says Christina Grossman of Slate. She also notes that one of Naomi’s inspirations to go into science came during a chemistry class when she “got to see her hand (protected in a solution!) covered in flames, without feeling a thing,” and that she’s a fan of “watching things blow up.” Newser reports that Lauren Hodge won in the 13-14 year-old age category for looking into the effects of different marinades on carcinogens in grilled chicken. When she was five she asked her mom for a cadaver for Christmas, Grossman says. Many moms would have freaked. Lauren’s mom sent her to a center for gifted kids.
Now can one of you ladies please build a time machine? You’re making me wish I hadn’t slept through high school. You rock.
And these weren’t some Peter-Brady-making-a-volcano-in-the-backyard science projects either. Shree Bose, the grand-prize winner for the 17-18 year-old age category, “discovered a way to improve ovarian cancer treatment for patients who have built up a resistance to chemotherapy drugs,” Newser says. Naomi Shah “explored the link between pollutants and respiratory disease,” says Christina Grossman of Slate. She also notes that one of Naomi’s inspirations to go into science came during a chemistry class when she “got to see her hand (protected in a solution!) covered in flames, without feeling a thing,” and that she’s a fan of “watching things blow up.” Newser reports that Lauren Hodge won in the 13-14 year-old age category for looking into the effects of different marinades on carcinogens in grilled chicken. When she was five she asked her mom for a cadaver for Christmas, Grossman says. Many moms would have freaked. Lauren’s mom sent her to a center for gifted kids.
Now can one of you ladies please build a time machine? You’re making me wish I hadn’t slept through high school. You rock.
Fun article. Have a daughter that really enjoyed science in both high school and college. Didn't do as well in the science fairs, but had a really great time with science. Your article brought back times with her and some of the projects we put together.