Chasing Science: LSU College of Science Prepares for Annual Girls’ Day at the Museum
Girls' Day at the Museum participants learning about fruits and plants with Dr. Laura P. Lagomarsino, assistant professor in the department of biological sciences and director and curator of the Shirley C. Tucker Herbarium at LSU.Photo Credit: April Buffington
BATON ROUGE—On Saturday, February 12, the exhibit halls and research areas of the LSU Museum of Natural Science will once again be filled with more than 30 fourth, fifth, and sixth grade girls for the College of Science’s fifth annual Girls’ Day at the Museum.
Applications to participate are now open through Jan. 14. Selected participants will spend a day exploring the reptiles, birds, fish and other exciting collections in the LSU Museum of Natural Science. They will have the opportunity to chat and snack with some of LSU’s top women scientists and participate in fun hands-on activities hosted by a variety of LSU science, technology, engineering, and math programs. Masks will be required for all participants, parents, and event volunteers.
“It’s our mission to excite and empower these girls with the knowledge and the confidence to become future problem solvers and leaders in STEM,” said Zakiya Wilson-Kennedy, assistant dean for diversity and inclusion in LSU’s College of Science. “Introducing them early through programs, like Girls’ Day at the Museum, is going to help them build a community where they feel welcome and encouraged.”
In addition to the full day of STEM activities, Wilson-Kennedy will simultaneously host a parent session that will equip parents with the resources and knowledge to promote and encourage science at home and at school.
This event is part of the LSU College of Science’s Geaux Science Explorations series of outreach activities. Geaux Science Explorations is an early engagement opportunity for students, particularly those from historically underrepresented groups. This initiative is vitally important to addressing gender-related, as well as ethnic and racially-related STEM gaps.
The College is committed to providing the greater Baton Rouge community with high-quality outreach activities that seek to support the early engagement of science enthusiasts. With the help of some of its top scientists and mathematicians, the College is equipped to provide intriguing, hands-on, and science-focused events that will both satisfy and ignite the curiosity of young scientists through its outreach activity series: Geaux Science Explorations!
Jessica Brits
LSU College of Science
Office of Communications
225-578-4334
jmanaf1@lsu.edu
Valerie Stampley
LSU College of Science
Office of Diversity & Inclusion
225-578-0135
vderou1@lsu.edu