On March 18, Mount Allison University welcomed female students and teachers from Tantramar Regional High School (TRHS) for Girls in Science Day on campus.

Organized primarily by Mount Allison students, including the Mount Allison Women in Science Society, Let’s Talk Science, and the Psychology Society, the day included activities in many of Mount Allison’s science departments for Grades 10-12 students and their teachers.

“The event was organized to expose high school girls to fun and exciting hands-on experiments in biology, chemistry, physics and psychology, in order to increase interest and encourage girls to pursue an education in STEM fields,” says Brooke Turner, a third-year biology student and one of the Girls in Science Day co-ordinators. “It is important the young women have strong female role models and are encouraged to pursue avenues in STEM, and know that they are equally as capable as their male counterparts in these fields.”

TRHS science teacher Natalie Miller agrees.

“I think it was a great day for our girls and much needed. It gave students a chance to see passionate women working in science and addressed some of the stereotypes of female scientists only having their work and no families,” says Miller. “The event was well organized and engaging for students and while they may have been quiet and shy during the event itself, they all said they enjoyed it and learned a few things. They particularly mentioned the informal conversations with Mount Allison students about their experiences.”

14 TRHS students in total attended the Girls in Science day, which included a full schedule of presentations and lab activities in psychology, chemistry, biology, and physics, lead by senior Mount Allison science students.