Lenovo has partnered with FOX and the all-new FabLab show, to help encourage young women to pursue their dreams in STEM fields, and turn NERD into the most awesome, most beautiful moniker a girl can have. I think this is an amazing opportunity for girls age 13 and older to pursue their passion and let the world know. The FabLab crew and some very special hosts (including Mayim Bialik!) recently announced the Lenovo Fabfinder initiative. The FabLab is looking for girls at least 13 years of age to submit videos in the hopes of becoming a Fablab STEM correspondent or reporter. Visit the FabLab website for more information. I’ll share some key highlights from the press release below.
FabLab has one mission: to get girls enthused about STEM by drawing the connections between STEM innovations and making the world a better place. Why? Studies have shown that illustrating how STEM inventions and breakthroughs have the power to change the world for the better, really motivating young women to engage with the sciences. FabLab is produced in partnership with the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). The show also partners with 15 additional organizations inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.
The FabLab hosts are Kerri Doherty, popular on YouTube for her comedic approach to all things geeky; Cara Santa Maria, a hipster science broadcaster; newcomer Aysia Bell; Madi Vorva, a Teen Choice Pro-Social award winner; and the sole male host, Nick Uhas, a former Big Brother contestant and a YouTube science guru. Celebrity co-hosts and guests will populate the series, each week taped in a new locale to augment that week’s topic. Mayim (The Big Bang Theory) said, “As a neuroscientist who was encouraged to enter the field in high school, getting girls involved in science (or STEM ) is a personal passion of mine. Through my interactive ‘Ask Mayim’ segment, I hope to get more young women excited about getting into the field that I love so much.”
It is a myth that girls don’t gravitate to STEM. Statistics support the fact that 74% of girls show at least as much interest as boys in the sciences. High school girls, in particular, surpass the percentage of boys interested in Algebra II and Calculus, for example. But along the way, young women tend to be drawn to fields that have social impact and make a difference. FabLab is highlighting amazing STEM discoveries that are mind-blowing and world-changing to help reframe STEM and allow young women to see those fields as a creative outlet for improving their world. FabLab isn’t just reaching the audience on the television show; it will have an active and innovative online and digital presence with exclusive programming for its own YouTube channel and interactivity through social media, all driving home the same message of STEM making the world better for people, pets and the planet.
Corporate partners who share the vision and have jumped on board to assist in attracting girls to science, technology and innovation include Samsung Electronics America, Lenovo, Motorola Mobility Foundation, Ally Bank, Brocade and L’Oréal USA. “Inspiring the next generation of girls in STEM is a key component of the L’Oréal USA For Women in Science program,†said Lauren Paige, L’Oréal USA’s Vice President of Public Affairs & Strategic Initiatives. “We are proud to partner with FabLab and look forward to featuring the exciting work of our For Women in Science fellows to help encourage girls to explore scientific careers.â€
Please visit the FabLab website for additional information about the FabFinder initiative like general information, submission guidelines, what they are looking for, eligibility and complete contest rules. GOOD LUCK to all the future female STEM Leaders!