WATERVILLE, Maine — Local high schoolers are gathering in the classroom, but not their usual classroom.
“Oh, it’s awesome. They’re so excited, and you know they’re excited to be involved, but also, there is a little bit of nervousness there,” said Allison Moloney, Associate Biology Professor at Thomas College.
Moloney is helping run Thomas College’s 2nd annual Girls in Science Day.
“It’s been a huge expansion, so last year was our pilot program, and we were really thrilled to have like 20 total people involved,” said Moloney. “This year we have almost 100 students.”
Students have the option of engaging in activities related to forensic science, chemistry, or biology. All the lessons are taught by current Thomas College students working to become teachers.
“I’m doing the chill factor chemistry lab, so we are doing the salt dissolution process, learning about endothermic and exothermic reactions,” said Sophie Damon, a secondary education student who is teaching high schoolers. “This is one of my first teaching experiences in the field. So, it is a really great opportunity, and I’m just excited that Thomas [College] was able to make it happen.”
The college students also played a major role in designing the activities, a process that took months.
“To bring those bigger concepts that we are learning at the college level, but making them a lot more fun, and making kids have fun with science as well,” said Katy McIntyre, a student teacher.
McIntyre also helped with Girls in Science Day last year. She said it’s been great to see the growth in interest from young girls.
“To see the excitement of women collaborating with each other and bringing more awareness to the fact that it is an underrepresented field,” said McIntyre.
“The research actually shows that when girls can see themselves in the field, they are more likely to not only try it but to stick with it,” said Moloney.
Moloney hopes the college can keep Girls in Science Day growing for years to come.