Designer Genes and SciGirl Queens

Designer Genes and SciGirl Queens is an event open to girls grades 4-8 in the Southern Tier of New York. Join us for an exciting Girls in STEM event sponsored by the New York State Master Teacher Program. Girls will attend three dynamic, hands-on workshops of their choice. This will be a fun day of activities and workshops, and participants will be provided snacks and lunch. Admission is free. Registration is limited to 100 girls, on a first-come, first-served basis. Upon registering, we will email a confirmation of attendance and additional specific directions.

Workshop Session Descriptions:

TESSELATION TEES

Using paint and sponge design of your choice, discover the  beauty of geometry and patterns, just as used by a famous artist. You will create a one of a kind unique t-shirt to show off your love of math and art! Sizing of t shirt will be the same as you specify for your event t-shirt.

I'M ATTRACTED TO THIS: FUN WITH MAGNETS

Ever wonder why magnets stick together or push each other apart? How is the Earth a giant magnet? After we learn how magnets work, we will create an electromagnetic train with just a battery, a magnet and wire.

STARFISH EXPLORATION AND DISSECTION

Discover more about these unique creatures from under the sea! You will learn about how starfish live in their natural habitats AND complete a hands-on dissection of preserved starfish to learn more about what makes these creatures so fascinating

SCIENCE CAN BE DELIGHTFULLY DISCREPANT!

A variety of quick hands-on experiments and minds-on demonstrations. Come prepared to be surprised and "edu-tain-ed" with the "magic" of mathematics and science.

EATING FOR 100 TRILLION!  INVESTIGATING THE GUT BIOME

Did you know that microorganisms in our bodies outnumber human cells by a factor of 10? Did you know that this population of microorganisms affect your health and even your behavior, and can change with age, sex, where you live, and what you eat? The gut microbiome is the community of microorganisms that inhabit the human gastrointestinal system, and a growing number of studies show that how our bodies function is related to the ecosystem that resides in our gut. In this workshop we will discuss what microbes are, how our microbiome develops, how our gut microbiome composition can influence health and wellbeing, and we will create our own microbial colony!

SEE IT, MAKE IT, TAKE IT!!

Come watch robots, and experience virtual reality. Make and decorate a marshmallow shooter, a greeting card that lights up, and try your luck at making a bouncy ball or slime. These are some of the activities in this workshop. Lots to see and make, and some things to take home with you!

SPIROLATERALS

Math and art!  Create a unique beautiful piece of art work using spirolateral math. Learn how the multiples of numbers can create an awesome pattern - decorate and you have a wonderful piece of art to take home and hang in your room! 

PAPER CIRCUIT JEWELRY (PIN)

Design and create your own wearable, LED glowing SciGirls badge pin that you get to keep and proudly wear.

FANCY FEET!

Can you design and build a pair of shoes with a heel? I challenge you to. Most of the time, we put on our shoes without thinking about who designed the shoe and why a particular design was created. You might not realize that many engineers are involved in developing new shoe styles and improving existing designs. Shoe engineers design, build and test shoes before they reach the marketplace to be sold to you. Today, you will see what it is like to use follow the steps of the engineering design process to build and test your own pair of shoes!

MARSHMALLOW MUTATIONS

Have you ever wondered how viruses that make some living things sick can "all of a sudden" infect people and make us sick? For example, how can flu viruses that infect birds and pigs become viruses that can infect people? In this workshop, we will use marshmallows, brownies, candy and a unique "DNA" code to build cells and see how these infectious pathogens can "jump" from one type of living thing (species) to infect the human species.

MINT MOBILES

You will design, build, and test model race cars made from simple materials. Can you make a design that will travel the farthest? or carry the most pennies? Will it be the best looking?

DNA NECKLACE: SCIENCE AND JEWELRY MEET!

Do you know what your DNA really looks like? In this workshop, you'll pull that important molecule from your mouth cells and make an awesome necklace to last for years to come and for all to see. We look forward to seeing you and your DNA soon!

ENGINEERING AND DESIGN CHALLENGES

Like competition and design? This is the session for you. Come and build the best performing structures. Can you work with a brand new team and outshine the rest? Use your engineering and design skills, your communication and teamwork skills and show us your stuff!

FLIP-BOTS

Make a cool light that turns on and off when flipped over!

THE MAGIC OF OPTICS

Have you ever wondered how objects can appear and disappear on stage? Or wished you could pour light? Come and investigate the wacky and wonderful world of optics and see the world in a whole different light.

PLATONIC SOLIDS - 3D SCULPTURES

Come and make a sculpture that is guaranteed to be an awesome addition to the decor in your room! Learn about the guy named Plato and his study of 3d objects. Use colorful straws to construct your math masterpiece. Come join the fun!

CALLING ALL "SPICE GIRLS / SCI-GIRLS" - CHEMOTAXIS IN TETRAHYMENA

Tertra-what? Chemo-who?  Yes, it is a cute little creature called a protist. Discover how our use of spices has helped us to survive by testing the effects of different spices on a common protist, Tetrahymena. See if you can figure out what they "like" and what they don't 'like"!

HIDDEN COLORS: LEAF CHROMATOGRAPHY

Have you ever wondered why the leaves of deciduous trees become so colorful in the Fall? This is your chance to look at the chemicals in the leaves of plants that are creating all those beautiful colors you see every Fall. In this session, you will make your own paper chromatography of several plant pigments. You will see colorful plant pigments appear before your eyes. It's like magic - only better- because it's SCIENCE!!

CODING FOR COLOR AND SOUND

Create music and color from coding with Texas Instruments' technology.