EUReKA! Science Program encourages future female scientists

Jul 18, 2018 | 3:13 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s Girl’s Week for the EUReKA! science camps happening at Thompson Rivers University. 

This week young girls had the opportunity to learn about science in a low-pressure environment. 

The girls got an up close look at a pig’s heart Wednesday morning, as an instructor demonstrated how the organ pumps blood to the rest of the body. 

Each girl was allowed to touch the heart, getting a hands-on learning experience. 

The EUReKA! Science Program aims to increase interest in science among young people, especially girls. 

“Right now in the STEM field, so science, technology, engineering, and math, girls are really underrepresented,” said Outreach Coordinator Genevieve Ward. “We don’t have a lot of girls going into careers in those fields. So, we really want to encourage girls to explore careers in science and tech, and we also just want to encourage them that it’s totally something girls can do. So we want to create a safe space for girls this week.”

Organizers say girls feel safer to explore science in a same-gender learning environment. 

Participants feel comfortable to ask questions and try new things in the non-competitive, safe space.