Horace Mann - Summer 2016 - 21
photo by Jasmin Ortiz
Women in Science & Engineering (WISE)
Allegra Kawles '16 watched as one group
of WISE girls lined up in the Lower Division
gymnasium behind three trebuchets provided
by Katie Diaz' husband Robert Diaz, who runs
Mad Science of New York City and Westchester.
"Radical Rob" (as he introduced himself to the
students) explained that he'd brought these
projectile-launching instruments because this
day's installment of WISE focused on engineering. Based on designs from the Middle Ages, the
trebuchets offered examples of early engineering
ingenuity, and represented a specific branch of
science known as physics "Radical Rob" explained
to the girls.
Kawles noticed a third grader wearing a lab
coat over her clothing, clearly ready to "do science." The soon-to-graduate UD senior appreciated the younger girl's attentiveness during
Lower Division Science Specialist and WISE coordinator Katie Diaz explains to second and third grade girls the
the brief physics lesson. An experience Kawles,
sublimation of frozen carbon dioxide, or dry ice as it is more commonly known.
herself, had in physics class is what transformed
her own engagement with science. Taking physics
A number of fourth and fifth grade girls said they appreci- at HM during the summer following her sophomore year
ated the opportunity to work with one another, at least for
Kawles described a meeting she had with her teacher, Dr.
these special science sessions. "The problem is, sometimes
Jeff Weitz, at the end of "SuPhy"-as HM's summer school
when we're working on a lab the boys take over, and don't let physics class is known. "Dr. Weitz asked if I was going to go
us do as much of the work. I don't think they're trying to be
on taking more science classes after I'd finished my requiremean. That's just what they do. Here we take turns more,"
ments. He told me 'This is something you like and you could
she said. Another fifth grader reported mentioning that she
do well at,'" Kawles said.
would be coming to HM on a Saturday. "The boys asked me
"I liked science, but I didn't think I could be a 'science
why, since there was no school on Saturday. I told them I was person.' I thought of myself as more of an 'English person,'"
coming to do science. One of the boys didn't know about the
Kawles reflected. "I do think these attitudes start early. So
program. He was surprised and said he wanted to come too.
many of the boys I was in school with knew since they were
But, I think he actually respected me for doing this." Other
really young that they wanted to do science. I always did
WISE participants said they now feel better able to take on
well in science but I didn't have the confidence to think that
equal roles with boys in labs and in Makers' Corner projects. I could pursue it. The encouragement I got from Dr. Weitz
changed that for me. I ended up taking advanced science
HM's Upper Division women students endorse Women in Science
classes, and some of those classes mostly had boys. Now I
The Lower Division's November 2015 parent-teacher
can say science is definitely something I'll pursue. I'd like
conference day brought 68 fourth and fifth-grade girls to
to study medicine, and possibly become a psychiatrist. I
HM for a full day of science activities, with teachers from
may never have allowed myself to think that way if I hadn't
HM's John Dorr Nature Laboratory helping out. For the
received that extra nudge from Dr. Weitz. I think women
February parent-teacher conference Diaz asked Upper
students do need extra encouragement, or extra opportuniDivision Science Department Chair Dr. Stephen Palfrey
ties in subjects like science.
to invite UD science students to go to the Lower Division
"I really like this initiative," Kawles added. "There aren't
during their free periods or lunchtime to help the girls
often programs dedicated specifically to girls, but here you
with their projects. Dr. Palfrey and several other UD scihave all these young girls who came to HM for a day of makence teachers announced the opportunity to both their
ing rockets that they drew on and decorated with stickers. It
men and women students. Fourteen UD students-all
was fun, and it will definitely give them confidence they can
women-volunteered.
use in class and in the future."
Aurora Grutman '18 came to lend a hand as the Lower
For parent-alum Penny Hecht, the long-term impact of
Division girls assembled self-propelling skateboards (fueled HM's WISE initiative on her children's future education,
by diet soda and Mentos), and rockets to launch later on.
and that of their friends, will result from how programs like
"For me, it meant a lot to be part of this. When I was in the
these "build upon themselves. The more the children learn,
Lower Division I was very interested in science. I wish there the more they're interested in continuing. What we're seeing
had been something like this when I was in third grade-
is girls being empowered in the area of science, without any
something that would have introduced me to role models
stigma. Programs like this take the children above and beof women in science. To be able to be a role model for these
yond. That's what Horace Mann School does in all aspects of
girls now is very rewarding," Grutman said.
education. That's what makes Horace Mann Horace Mann." $
Horace Mann Magazine Summer 2016
21
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Horace Mann - Summer 2016
Contents
Horace Mann - Summer 2016 - 1
Horace Mann - Summer 2016 - 2
Horace Mann - Summer 2016 - Contents
Horace Mann - Summer 2016 - 4
Horace Mann - Summer 2016 - 5
Horace Mann - Summer 2016 - 6
Horace Mann - Summer 2016 - 7
Horace Mann - Summer 2016 - 8
Horace Mann - Summer 2016 - 9
Horace Mann - Summer 2016 - 10
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