March 2014 Special Edition: Women in the Maker Community

Each year, March is designated as National Women's History Month
to ensure the history of American women will be recognized and
celebrated in schools, workplaces, and communities throughout the country.
The 2014 theme is "Celebrating Women of Character, Courage, and Commitment".

This week the NGCP celebrates Women in the Maker Community.

NGCP Partner

Maker Education Initiative

The Maker Education Initiative creates opportunities for young people to develop confidence, creativity, and spark an interest in science, technology, engineering, math, the arts, and learning through making. The Maker Education Initiative seeks creative individuals who enjoy DIY art or science projects and are passionate about sharing their love of learning with others for the Maker Corps Program. Maker Corps Members serve as mentors at a host site (museum, school, library, or other youth-serving organization) for the summer of 2014 to engage children and families in creative projects to develop problem-solving skills, while serving as a community leader. Application deadline is March 21, 2014.

http://www.makered.org

FabFems in the Maker Community

Meet Jennifer Himstedt, Museum Career Ladder Coordinator at the Thinkery. She loves to craft, make, and DIY anything she can. Her current craft projects include felt superhero masks, magnetic monsters, and a teen zine. To learn more about Jennifer, visit her FabFems profile at: www.fabfems.org/users/jennifer-himstedt.

FabFems are enthusiastic about the science and technology work they do and want to inspire a future generation of FabFems. To search profiles of role models in the maker community visit the FabFems website.

Historical Women in the Maker Community

Barbara Askins, former teacher and NASA chemist, invented a method of enhancing pictures by using radioactive materials. The process Askins developed was immensely successful, and before long, the technology was adapted for use in other NASA research as well as outside applications in X-ray technology and photo restoration. In 1978 she was named National Inventor of the Year. She was the first woman to be selected for this honor. Learn more about Barbara Askins at:

http://www.women-inventors.com/Barbara-Askins.asp

Dr. Patricia Bath is an ophthalmologist and laser scientist. Bath invented the Cataract Laserphaco Probe, which is a laser device used to remove cataract lenses. This innovative device made cataract lens removal faster, more accurate, and less invasive. When she first conceived of the device in 1981, it was too advanced for its time, thus it took her five years to complete the research and testing needed to make it work. Bath was the first African American woman surgeon at the UCLA Medical Center and the first woman faculty member at the UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute. Learn more about Patricia Bath at: http://goo.gl/LqX3hX.

Maker Events and Resources

Maker Faire: Maker Faire is an all-ages gathering of tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, authors, artists, students, and commercial exhibitors. All of these "makers" come to Maker Faire to show what they have made and to share what they have learned. Find a Maker Faire in your area. http://makerfaire.com/makerfairehistory

Maker Camp on Google+

July 7 - August 15, 2014

Maker Camp is a free, six-week virtual summer camp for teens. The camp guides youth through daily do-it yourself (DIY) projects and connects campers to their peers using Google+. Youth are encouraged to share their creations and ask questions during daily video broadcasts.

http://makezine.com/maker-camp

A Blueprint: Maker Programs for Youth: This guide includes resources for creating maker spaces. It features a template for afterschool or summer programs, and provides information about the types of spaces that can be used, ideas about schedules and format, and the materials and personnel needed to create and sustain a maker program.

http://nysci.org/wp-content/uploads/nysci_maker_blueprint.pdf

DIYgirls: DIYgirls is an organization that works to increase girls' and women's interest in technology, engineering, and making through educational programs and events. DIYgirls programs promote exploration with technology, encourage self-confidence, and support aspiration to technical careers. http://diygirls.org

Engaging Girls in STEM: Tinkering: This article by the Center for Research on Girls at Laurel School describes the challenges of getting girls engaged in tinkering. It proposes solutions to these challenges and provides ways to assess tinkering projects and promote tinkering in specific fields.

http://www.laurelschool.org/about/documents/CRG_TINKERING.pdf

Latinas & Tecnologia de la Informaci�n: This is a Spanish-language website aimed at inspiring young Hispanic women, or Latinas, to pursue technology.

http://www.ncwit.org/latinas-information-technology

PyLadies: PyLadies is an international mentorship group with a focus on helping more women become active participants and leaders in the Python open-source community. The group seeks to promote, educate, and advance a diverse Python community through outreach, education, conferences, events, and social gatherings. http://www.pyladies.com

Spread the Word

Help us celebrate Women's History Month by paying tribute to outstanding women in STEM fields with your networks! Here are a few easy and simple ways to spread the word:

Like us on Facebook and share our daily posts featuring Women in Aviation and resources for inspiring girls to pursue this exciting STEM field!
Follow us on Twitter and retweet or repost our daily tweets to your followers.
Share your own stories about women who have inspired you using #WHMSTEM all month long!

Watch for the special edition next week highlighting Women in Earth & Space Science.