Teen Girls Engage In STEM Project
Jasmine Garner extracts DNA from a banana
14 year old Jasmine Garner is mashing up a few bananas- but its not for a meal- its part of a science project- extracting DNA from different types of food.
Something Garner both enjoys, and excels in.
"We had to build a molecule in my science class and I'm not really good at being by myself so all my friends came and helped me and we got an A," says Garner.
Today seven teen girls from various Yakima Valley schools put their brains to the test- for a science technology engineering and math project.
Today's event was hosted by the Girl Scouts and aims to encourage girls to get involved in science and math outside of the classroom.
15 year old Brinda Tello says shes one of the few girls in her grade that already takes science very seriously and says its not just for the guys.
"It's kinda weird because most of the guys they never do the work, practically the girls cuz they know how to do it much especially when they are so focused into science," says Brinda Tello.
These projects are intended to use household objects like bananas and cotton balls, so teen girls can do them easily at home to further their interest in science.
And the girl scouts say the younger the better-
"Studies show how important it is to expose young ladies to STEM careers starting at a young age," says Alicia Ullom of the Girl Scout of America.
The project may be all laughs and smiles today, but Jasmine Garner says technology and engineering is necessary for her future as an architect.
"I also like drawing and architect you can make your own house and I've always wanted to make my own house," says Garner.