WINS inspires the next generation with science sisters’ day
WINS inspires the next generation with science sisters’ day
By Marena Keci
According to the U.S. Department of Education, a girl’s interest in science drops in middle school. As biomedical graduate students, Abby Cannon (PhD, Cellular Biology and Histology, ‘19 and Anya Nikolai (PhD, Microbiology and Immunology, ‘20) set out to change that trajectory by creating the Loyola chapter of Women in Science (WINS). The goal: nurture girls’ interest in science and offer WINS members a chance to unwind from their demanding academic schedules.
Eight years later, WINS co-Presidents Suzanne Quinn, PhD candidate, and Claudia Rose Keating, MD/PhD candidate, are continuing that tradition with one of the organization’s signature events, Science Sisters’ Day.
WINS hosted its 5th annual Science Sisters’ Day this spring, when 71 middle school girls from Maywood and Melrose Park schools participated in a day filled with experiments and learning about science at Loyola’s Center for Translational Research and Education (CTRE). “Introducing girls to science at a young age is crucial for fostering a lifelong passion and breaking down gender barriers in STEM fields,” said Keating. “Early exposure empowers them with the confidence and curiosity to explore, innovate, and contribute to scientific advancements,” she said.
In addition to Science Sisters’ Day, WINS also sponsors professional development events, social programs, and other outreach events. Although most WINS members are Health Sciences Campus students, any Loyola student, faculty, or staff can join. If you are interested in learning more about WINS, email WINS@luc.edu.
“WINS addresses a fundamental bottleneck for encouraging women to pursue careers in STEM and assume leadership roles in the sciences,” said Associate Dean of Graduate Education and Professor, Department of Cancer Biology, Mitchell F. Denning, PhD.
The girls conducted many different experiments. Looking at heart models and using stethoscopes, they learned about heart function. Extracting DNA from kiwis helped them learn about genetic coding. They studied the importance of sunscreen and how to protect themselves from DNA damage, making a DNA sequence bracelet and observing what happens when it is exposed to direct sunlight. Delving into forensic science, they became “crime scene investigators,” using tools like invisible ink, ink chromatography, and fingerprinting to solve mysteries. They also used microscopes to examine billions of cells, including their own, along with bacteria from the environment.
While performing experiments, the girls discussed the skills scientists need. When asked what they think a scientist looks like, Natalia, one of the young participants, said: “A scientist can be anyone. A doctor, a marine biologist, a zoologist. It could be anyone from any (ethnicity), any religion, any place, any gender, anybody. There should be no exact example of a scientist,” and Junyla, another middle schooler, said she thinks “scientists always have their hair in a ponytail!”
When asked, “What do scientists do?” participants said scientists conduct research, cure viruses, and help people and the environment. Yami, another young participant, said, “Scientists make theories and use experiments to back up their hypotheses.”
Science Sisters’ Day provides an enriching and fun experience that WINS hopes will have a lasting impact. “Our graduate students’ enthusiasm about science is contagious and can motivate a girl to focus on STEM as not just a vocation, but a life-long pursuit,” said Denning.
Diana, a returning participant, summed up the day: “I wanted to come back because the projects and experiments were really fun and cool, and I wanted to see if there was any new science to learn about.”
June 2024
By Marena Keci
According to the U.S. Department of Education, a girl’s interest in science drops in middle school. As biomedical graduate students, Abby Cannon (PhD, Cellular Biology and Histology, ‘19 and Anya Nikolai (PhD, Microbiology and Immunology, ‘20) set out to change that trajectory by creating the Loyola chapter of Women in Science (WINS). The goal: nurture girls’ interest in science and offer WINS members a chance to unwind from their demanding academic schedules.
Eight years later, WINS co-Presidents Suzanne Quinn, PhD candidate, and Claudia Rose Keating, MD/PhD candidate, are continuing that tradition with one of the organization’s signature events, Science Sisters’ Day.
WINS hosted its 5th annual Science Sisters’ Day this spring, when 71 middle school girls from Maywood and Melrose Park schools participated in a day filled with experiments and learning about science at Loyola’s Center for Translational Research and Education (CTRE). “Introducing girls to science at a young age is crucial for fostering a lifelong passion and breaking down gender barriers in STEM fields,” said Keating. “Early exposure empowers them with the confidence and curiosity to explore, innovate, and contribute to scientific advancements,” she said.
In addition to Science Sisters’ Day, WINS also sponsors professional development events, social programs, and other outreach events. Although most WINS members are Health Sciences Campus students, any Loyola student, faculty, or staff can join. If you are interested in learning more about WINS, email WINS@luc.edu.
“WINS addresses a fundamental bottleneck for encouraging women to pursue careers in STEM and assume leadership roles in the sciences,” said Associate Dean of Graduate Education and Professor, Department of Cancer Biology, Mitchell F. Denning, PhD.
The girls conducted many different experiments. Looking at heart models and using stethoscopes, they learned about heart function. Extracting DNA from kiwis helped them learn about genetic coding. They studied the importance of sunscreen and how to protect themselves from DNA damage, making a DNA sequence bracelet and observing what happens when it is exposed to direct sunlight. Delving into forensic science, they became “crime scene investigators,” using tools like invisible ink, ink chromatography, and fingerprinting to solve mysteries. They also used microscopes to examine billions of cells, including their own, along with bacteria from the environment.
While performing experiments, the girls discussed the skills scientists need. When asked what they think a scientist looks like, Natalia, one of the young participants, said: “A scientist can be anyone. A doctor, a marine biologist, a zoologist. It could be anyone from any (ethnicity), any religion, any place, any gender, anybody. There should be no exact example of a scientist,” and Junyla, another middle schooler, said she thinks “scientists always have their hair in a ponytail!”
When asked, “What do scientists do?” participants said scientists conduct research, cure viruses, and help people and the environment. Yami, another young participant, said, “Scientists make theories and use experiments to back up their hypotheses.”
Science Sisters’ Day provides an enriching and fun experience that WINS hopes will have a lasting impact. “Our graduate students’ enthusiasm about science is contagious and can motivate a girl to focus on STEM as not just a vocation, but a life-long pursuit,” said Denning.
Diana, a returning participant, summed up the day: “I wanted to come back because the projects and experiments were really fun and cool, and I wanted to see if there was any new science to learn about.”
June 2024