Science Saturdays for Kids Begins Again October 7 at Yale Featuring Women in Science

This fall, Yale’s Science Saturdays series for school children will feature programs by three successful and engaging women scientists — a physicist and two chemists — who will share their fascination and findings in research.

The programs will be held in Davies Auditorium at 15 Prospect Street, from 10:30 to noon on three successive Saturdays beginning October 7. Scheduled programs are designed for students in the 7th grade and up, and are free and open to the public.

Now in its third season, assistant professors Ainissa G. Ramirez, of the mechanical engineering department who created the program, and Erin Lavik, of biomedical engineering, will host Science Saturdays. Ramirez fashioned the series to introduce children to scientists — who they are, and how and why they study what they study. The program is designed to shatter stereotypes about scientists and to show the fun of science.

“This year’s focus on ‘Women in Science,’ was developed to bring attention to the women who delight in and excel in fields once considered only for men,” according to Ramirez. “Science is for everyone and I believe these women are shining examples of what science brings to their lives and what they contribute to it.”

“We don’t know precisely why so few girls decide to become scientists, but we do know that the result is our society losing a very large proportion of this talent pool. This is a loss we cannot afford,” said H. Kim Bottomly, Deputy Provost for Science, Technology and Faculty Development at Yale.

“Science Saturdays is wonderfully conceived to attract and engage young minds and to present them with not only facts and puzzles, but also with real people to emulate who have dedicated their lives to grappling with these puzzles,” said Bottomly. “Ainissa is a shining example for them. She is a committed and successful scientist in a very competitive field, yet she finds the time to dedicate her Saturdays to reaching out to young minds. It is a remarkable thing to do, and she is a remarkable person”

This season’s talks include:

October 7
Having Good Chemistry: Formation and Analysis of Compounds
by Iona Black, Chemist

Understanding how things form and interact— their structure and function — is the underlying basis for development of potential anti-cancer, anti-viral complexes. Studying the way molecules and compounds interact with each other and with biological and environmental metals is a key. Professor Black will talk about Resonance Raman spectroscopy, the “vibration signature” of molecule complexes, and how these tools help to design useful drugs and drug mixtures.

October 14
How Astronomers Discovered the Universe is Flying Apart Faster and Faster
by Meg Urry, Physicist

A few years ago, astronomers discovered that expansion of our Universe is speeding up — accelerating outward. They were shocked! They thought it should be slowing down due to the gravity of all its contained matter. These new results suggest that there is some force or energy opposing and larger than, gravity. Scientists are now working to figuring out the nature of this force that we call “Dark Energy.” Professor Urry will describe how we learned our Universe was expanding, how we measured its acceleration, and what this means for the future of the Universe.

October 21
Medical Metals
by Ann Valentine, Chemist

Metals are involved in many biological processes. Some are helpful, like the natural iron in hemoglobin and the bismuth in Pepto-Bismol; and some are harmful — as in lead poisoning. Professor Valentine will explore the value of metals in biology, including the story of the most successful metal-based medicine so far.

Ramirez, a black woman faculty member at Yale, who is a much honored material scientist, has been “tremendously gratified by the response from teachers, parents, children and professors who have asked to be part of this program.” Last year, Ramirez and the Science Saturdays program was awarded an Elm-Ivy Award for their contribution to the community.

“Professor Ramirez and Yale University have created a model program for helping our children to understand the importance of science and the role it plays in our daily lives,” said New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. “They are providing a great service as we make the teaching of math and science a top priority.”

“I am a bit humbled by how this program has been embraced by Yale and New Haven,” said Ramirez. Her little idea grew into something much bigger than originally imagined. With all the enthusiasm it has generated, the program is flourishing. Past programs can be seen on public access CTV, Channel 26 at 1 p.m. on Sundays in the New Haven, West Haven, Hamden viewing area.

The program is supported in part by the National Science Foundation, the Yale Faculty of Engineering, the National Society of Black Engineers, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Tau Beta Pi and Scienceworks. More information is available by contacting Ainissa Ramirez or online at: www.eng.yale.edu/science.