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Girls participate in Chem Camp at BYU during summer of 2016.

Photo courtesy of BYU

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Participants at Chem Camp 2016.

Photo courtesy of BYU

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Girls participate in Chem Camp, summer 2016.

Photo courtesy of BYU

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Female scientists are making an immense impact throughout the world with their research and teaching. This impact can inspire young girls and women alike to one day make their own mark in the science world. In the BYU College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, three female faculty members are determined to keep female students interested in the sciences.

Combating Social Pressure at Camp

BYU Chemistry and Biochemistry Assistant Professor Rebecca Sansom is one of four professors in charge of a new summer outreach program called Chem Camp. An important goal for the camp in its first year was to ensure an equal number of female and male participants.

Sansom said the camp targets upper elementary school students because that is the time when girls start losing interest in science.

“There’s some social pressure that happens between the 4th and 8th grades that conditions girls to dislike science,” Sansom said.

One important part of keeping women engaged in the sciences is showing them women who pursue education and successful careers in science. Sansom had a positive experience when she started college because of her freshman chemistry professor.

“She became my undergraduate research advisor, and she helped me believe that I could be successful as a scientist,” Sansom said.

Because of the encouragement from her advisor, Sansom continued her education in science. Now she has the opportunity to do the same for her female students.

“I have the opportunity to be a female role model and say, ‘This is a thing that women can do,'” Sansom said. “People who are educated — especially women who are educated — make a huge difference in the lives of their children.”

Finding Opportunities Through Mentoring

BYU Astronomy Professor Denise Stephens helps run Astrofest, an annual public outreach event that introduces kids to physics and astronomy.

“[You] know what biology and chemistry are when you get to high school [and] you’re picking your science classes,” Stephens said. “So this is a chance to introduce kids to physics in a really fun way.”

Stephens suggests that women reach out and find a mentor who believes in them and can help them map out all the possibilities for their future.

“Don’t be afraid to approach a professor, someone you trust, and say, ‘This is what I’m thinking about. Do you have any advice for me?'” Stephens said.

Stephens said female students often aren’t aware of all the options available to them. For example, several female faculty members at BYU have quit for a period of time to take care of their families, but they later come back to teach and work.

“There are several different career paths and options that you have as a woman that you can explore,” Stephens said.

Keep Moving Forward

BYU Chemistry Professor Jennifer Nielson co-chairs Chem Camp and National Chemistry Week at BYU, and she conducts teacher training workshops in Uganda during the summer.

She started out as a German major at BYU, but Nielson fell in love with chemistry when she took her first chemistry class during her freshman year.

“It was fascinating,” Nielson said. “I actually think it’s the lowest grade I ever got in college, though. I didn’t go into chemistry because I thought it would be easy, but I did think it was interesting enough that I immediately changed my major to chemistry.”

Nielson encourages women to pursue a degree they may be interested in, even if they can’t see exactly how their career will work out.

“I think you should just go forward if this is what you want to do,” Nielson said. “And then along the way, keep asking ‘How do I make this happen?’ ‘How do I juggle things?’ Because there’s lots of different ways to do it.”