Guest blog post from Darlene Cavalier, founder of Science Cheerleader and Science For Citizens and contributing editor at Discover magazine.
Arizona Cardinals Science-minded Cheerleaders Will Take Your Questions Now.
Six Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders, pursuing science and engineering careers, are now fielding questions
from the public. Ask them anything. Questions with the most votes from the public will be answered by the cheerleaders during a videotaped interview on August 25. The Science Cheerleaders
are part of a troop of more than 100 current and former NFL and NBA cheerleaders pursuing science careers. Their goal is to playfully challenge stereotypes and inspire young women to consider science and technology fields. These women are mathematicians, medical doctors, chemists and engineers. Their goal is to challenge the stereotypical image of female scientists as lonely, unhappy, lab rats and show young girls that there is another path forward. The Science Cheerleaders have demonstrated an ability to connect to groups traditionally underrepresented in science and technology fields, potentially broadening educational and workforce funnel. Cheerleaders from the Redskins, Titans, Chiefs, Texans, Eagles, and Rams among others perform
across the nation, shaking their pom poms and divulging science and math facts about energy, electricity, atoms, math, and engineering. They even get crowds to participate in citizen science
projects. At the live events, the Science Cheerleaders are often asked, "What's it like to be a cheerleader AND a scientist?" or "When did you first know you wanted to be an engineer?" “How do you deal with the extreme stereotypes?” Now's your chance! The 2011-2012 Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders have offered to answer the most popular questions submitted through Tuesday August 23rd (one week!). We'll be visiting their training facility in Tempe, AZ, the following week to get all the answers. People can submit questions to these Science Cheerleaders by tweeting to @SciCheer or commenting on the blog post, the YouTube video
, or Facebook Page.
Here’s a sample of who some of these remarkable women are. (Take a look and then ask 'em anything by August 23rd!)
Hi, I'm Samantha, and I'm not just you're average cheerleader; I'm studying Engineering Management with a focus in Mechanical Engineering at Arizona State University. I am also a national member of the Society of Women Engineers and currently interning at Microchip Technology. This is my rookie year as an Arizona Cardinals Cheerleader, but I have been dancing my whole life and even won the national pom championship my senior year of high school.
Hi, my name is Maria, and I am a rookie member of the 2011 Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders. I graduated from Rice University with a degree in political science and earned my J.D. from the University of Arizona in 2010. When it’s not gameday, you can find me at work as an Advocacy Specialist for the Girl Scouts, where I collaborate with local lawmakers on policies to provide increased exposure to the national Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math initiative. Helping to promote the next generation of female scientists, engineers, IT professionals, and mathematicians is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job!
My name is Jacque, and I am a Licensed Professional Civil Engineer who received my B.S.E. in Civil Engineering from Arizona State University. I have been cheerleading since the age of five, and I am proud and honored to now be a professional cheerleader and a rookie member of the amazing Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders. Got a question? Something on your mind? Ask 'em anything before August 23! Learn more
about the Science Cheerleaders.
