Cheering for science and engineering!
The Science Cheerleaders in action.
Cheerleaders talking to young girls about exciting careers in science and engineering.
Summer D. Williams, Science Cheerleader and sustaining engineering lab manager in the Avionic Systems Division of NASA.
The Science Cheerleaders are a group of scientists and engineers who are also current and former US professional cheerleaders. They came together last year to promote and celebrate women in STEM careers.
Darlene Cavalier is the founder of ScienceCheerleader.com, a blog that aims to promote the involvement of citizens in science and science-related policy. She is also a former professional cheerleader for the basketball team the Philadelphia 76ers. In her mission to improve science literacy, she decided to enlist the help of the 2009 76ers cheerleaders to promote "18 things you need to know to be science literate". This zero-budget collaboration with George Mason University put her blog on the map and spawned the Science Cheerleaders in 2010, a group of scientists and engineers who are also current and former professional cheerleaders for the NBA, NFL and other pro sports leagues. Here Darlene tells us how it all began and why the group’s members are such powerful ambassadors for science and technology careers and we meet a cheerleading engineer from NASA.
How did you form the Science Cheerleaders?
I started receiving emails from professional cheerleaders pursuing science careers and I decided to profile these remarkable women on the blog. Shortly after that, I received an invitation for them to perform at the USA Science and Engineering Festival (the Burroughs Wellcome Fund sponsored their appearance). That was the first time I had met any of the women. I could hardly believe the reaction from festival-goers: overwhelmingly positive. Long lines of people waited for their autographs and hundreds of little cheerleader-wannabes learned why these women are so passionate about their science and engineering careers. That's when I knew we were onto something big. The Science Cheerleaders are powerful ambassadors of the site and, it turns out, have been very influential in challenging stereotypes and inspiring young girls to consider careers in science and technology.
How often do you perform and typically what kind of events?
We've had four appearances in the last six months and are considering several invitations now. Our first appearance was in October at the USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C. We've performed for the White House and NASA and, most recently, we kicked off the Philadelphia Science Festival along with the Mayor of Philadelphia. The Science Cheerleader teamed up with the Franklin Institute to lead hands-on science activities aimed primarily at young girls.
What do you do at the events?
The Science Cheerleaders perform science-themed routines which include cheers and individual speaking roles for each Science Cheerleader. ("Hi! I'm Alyson, a Tennessee Titans cheerleader AND and biochemist! When someone tells me that being smart isn't cool, I say, 'EXCUSE ME!? Being Smart is H-O-T, HOT!') Crowd cheers include: S-C-I-E-N-C-E, SCIENCE!(clap, clap), SCIENCE! (clap, clap). And, this is one we did for NASA: N-A-S-A, NASA research ALL THE WAY!!
Then the SciCheers meet the crowds and sign autographs on their personalised trading cards, do science activities with kids (tailored activities designed to appeal to young women in particular), run impromptu, free mini cheer camps and pose for lots of pictures. I’d like to mention that the choreography and cheers are created by Laura Eilers of Going Pro Entertainment and the uniforms donated by Angela King Designs.
What is the typical reaction you get when they find out what you all do for a living?
Most people (especially moms of little cheerleaders) are thrilled. Many people are surprised there are so many professional cheerleaders who are pursuing science careers (more than 50 in the National Football League alone). Frankly, I was surprised! The Science Cheerleaders do a very good job of inspiring others by encouraging them to work hard, pursue their passions, develop good time management skills, and "never let someone else's opinion determine your destiny."
Find out more about the Science Cheerleaders at www.sciencecheerleader.com
Summer D. Williams is one of the Science Cheerleaders and is also the sustaining engineering lab manager in the Avionic Systems Division of NASA.
What does your job at NASA entail?
I manage a team of technicians to ensure that space flight hardware for both the Space Shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) meets delivery dates. This includes providing technical guidance, reviewing and redlining drawings, resolving technical problems, verifying quality and progress of work and serving as the primary customer interface. I also support several research and development laboratories where I manage general maintenance and operations.
What is your background?
I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Wichita State University. My first job after graduating was on the Wyle/Lockheed Martin Space Operations Bioastronautics Contract here at NASA. I worked as a research engineer supporting cardiovascular experiments that were eventually performed on the Space Shuttle and ISS. My second job was as an ISS Crew Quarters project/systems engineer in the Crew and Thermal Systems Division. I was part of the team that designed, built, tested and delivered the ISS crew quarters. In November 2008, the first two crew quarters launched on STS-126 headed to their permanent home on the ISS.
When did you get involved in Science Cheerleaders and what attracted you to it?
I was first in touch with the Science Cheerleader founder, Darlene Cavalier, in August 2010. It was obvious that since Darlene is a reputable writer, huge science fan and former cheerleader she had the resources and enthusiasm to do what many women in STEM would like to do: get more girls involved. By becoming a Science Cheerleader I could contribute to this effort. It is a unique and fun way to spread the message about STEM education and careers for girls and women. It also shows that having diverse interests is acceptable. I love the Science Cheerleader message.
Do you think it is helping to break down stereotypes about women in engineering/science roles?
I do believe it is breaking down stereotypes. The Science Cheerleaders have a growing fan-following and we are using the Science Cheerleader name and website to continually spread our message and disintegrate the stereotypes surrounding STEM career paths.
What are some of the challenges you face being in a male-dominated profession and what advice do you have for others on a similar career path?
One of the challenges I had to face was simply being myself: an engineering student and pageant queen then an engineer and an NFL cheerleader. At times I felt in order to be taken seriously my focus should solely lie on engineering. I struggled to remain true to myself and my dreams and confident in my abilities.
Both men and women lacked faith in my ability to be a good engineer based on my looks, would not approach me with technical questions, questioned how I got my job and participated in sharing rumours. People (again, both men and women) made many presumptions about me but I retained my composure and confidence and now I am pretty much ‘one of the guys’, meaning I am treated equally in my workplace. I took the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field and converted them into fuel for my success.
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