For immediate release | November 6, 2012
AASL partners with Carnegie Science Center to inspire girls to pursue STEM careers
CHICAGO — The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) has partnered with the Carnegie Science Center: Girls Math & Science Partnership (GMSP) to inspire girls to see themselves in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers through gaming and online activities. More information on the Can*TEEN Career Exploration initiative can be found at www.canteengirl.org/library.
As part of the initiative, the Carnegie Science Center has developed the Can*TEEN Trivia Wheel Library Interactive game, a new spin on the classic gaming style of multiple choice trivia questions. AASL, working with the Carnegie Science Center, and with support from the Motorola Foundation, will help distribute Can*TEEN Trivia Wheel Library Interactive toolkits to more than 2,500 middle schools.The interactive game was designed with girls in mind but is suitable for play by boys or small groups of friends or classmates. The packaging is more girl specific and the interactive disk encourages further career exploration online at www.canteengirl.org/library.
AASL members who live in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Illinois and Ohio and who serve students within the age range of 10-14 can opt in to receive a complimentary, early copy of the trivia wheel toolkit. School librarians who participate will receive a free kit for their school library and will be asked to complete a follow-up survey at the end of the school year to evaluate how frequently the toolkit was checked out and how it was used in within the school. More information and the opt-in form can be found on the AASL website at www.ala.org/aasl/canTEEN. The deadline for early opt-in is Dec. 1, 2012.
Despite comprising half of the overall work force, women hold only 23 percent of science and engineering jobs in America’s public and private sector. Carnegie Science Center addresses this challenge through innovative programs that engage, educate and inspire girls to pursue STEM careers, including the new Can*TEEN Career Exploration initiative. The initiative encourages tweens and teens to challenge and expand their knowledge of diverse STEM subject matter with connections to related professions, potential career paths and women out in the world making a difference.
"AASL is excited to be part of this important initiative — especially because of its focus to help girls engage with STEM content," said Susan Ballard, AASL president. "We recognize that gaming and online activities are very appealing to this age group and applaud the Carnegie Science Center for leveraging these resources as critical gateways to the development of interest among girls in pursuing STEM-related career paths."
Carnegie Science Center is dedicated to inspiring learning and curiosity by connecting science and technology with everyday life. By making science both relevant and fun, the Science Center’s goal is to increase science literacy in the region and motivate young people to seek careers in science and technology. One of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, the Science Center is Pittsburgh’s premier science exploration destination, reaching more than 700,000 people annually through its hands-on exhibits, camps, classes and off-site education programs.
The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library field.
Contact:
Jennifer R Habley
Manager, Web Communications
American Association of School Librarians (AASL)
jhabley@ala.org800-545-2433 ext.4383
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