(Courtesy of MDS) In honor of International Day of Women and Girls in Science this week, MDS classrooms were enlivened with lessons and programs designed to celebrate strong, successful women in science, and educate, inspire and encourage action in the fields of science and STEAM.
Second graders read about renowned chimpanzee expert Jane Goodall. “Jane helps us understand how curiosity helps us learn and that science is all about asking questions,” says General Studies Teacher Frieda Werczberger. Ms. W, along with Lower School Music Teacher Julienne Dweck, co-wrote a song about the scientific process and taught it to the students. “I especially like the chorus,” says Nili Louzoun. “It has a catchy tune and fast words.”
Third graders read “Raise Your Hand” by Alice Paul Tapper, a story of a Girl Scout named Alice, who is afraid to speak up in school, brainstorms solutions with her troop, and they come up with a national movement to give girls more confidence. The class discussed ways they could take initiative to help girls, and all students, to feel more confident in themselves- in and out of school.
In STEM class, third and fourth graders explored the life of Ada Lovelace, known as the first computer programmer. In the 1800s when women didn’t learn math and science, Ada’s mother encouraged and supported her love of numbers. She learned from great scientists and mathematicians and made a huge impact on our world today.
Fourth graders were enthralled by a video about Bessie Coleman, the first Black female licensed pilot in the US. They learned about the history of aviation and how Coleman spent her life trying to encourage women and African Americans to reach their dreams. Devora Epstein reflected, “If you work hard, whatever you are aiming for you can achieve.” Sydney Zoldan added, “Women can do anything they want to!”
In fifth grade, students progressed in their unit on microorganisms, viruses and bacteria, to learn about animal classification, including mammals, amphibians and reptiles. “I love learning about animals because one day I want to be a veterinarian,” said Neta Wiznia, who is inspired by her veterinarian mom. Sixth graders were privileged to get a peek into the world of female meteorologists, and learned how weather balloons record data that is used in predicting the forecast.
Seventh and eighth graders were introduced to 10 iconic women in the early to mid 1900’s as the start of a monthly initiative to teach students about women in science during different time periods. Seventh and eighth graders completed the week with an empowering lesson about how to cultivate a healthy sense of self internally and externally.
“It is important for us as educators to show students that women have the ability to achieve and innovate in the fields of science and STEM,” says Middle School Science Teacher Natalie Aryeh. “We hope to inspire our girls to pursue their interests in science and set the stage for generations to come.”
