Public Events: Sally Ride Science Festival

For young girls, come experience the fun of science at the Sally Ride Science Festival. Over 1000 young girls with their parents (and a few brothers) attend the event at NASA Ames. The founder and inspirational speaker at the event is Dr. Sally Ride best known as the first American woman to travel in space. Each year, Earth Sciences graduate students participate in the event by hosting two tables.

At the Geology Table, girls (and some boys) examine many beautiful rocks and identify minerals in everyday products.

At the Oceanography Table, girls learn about density, and thus ocean circulation. They add less dense water (green) to more dense water (saltier) and can see a layer of green floating on top of the red water.

In 2005, six women graduate students from Geological and Environmental Science and Geophysics Departments volunteered their Sunday morning. We are supportive of events like this to help inspire other young girls to go into science careers.