WISE THE MAGAZINE
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A CELEBRATION OF WOMEN IN SCIENCE & ENGINEERING VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1
WISE MISSION WISE was founded with the mission of promoting equity and access in STEM education. It serves to promote, encourage & support female students with interests in math, science, technology & engineering through opportunities, mentorship and fellowship.
Table of contents 04
Senior Spotlight Take a Closer Look at One Future STEM Leader
05
Life After High School
06
In The News
What Does STEM in College Look Like?
Meet Dr. Kizzy Corbett, The Woman Who is the New Face of STEM
08
TRIP Initiative
WTHS Students Qualify for Highly Selective Program
12
Centro de Atención Científico ¡El Trabajo de un Científico Local Llega a África!
14
Fast Fashion
Why What is in Your Closet Matters
17 Herstory A Look at One Woman Who Paved the Way 18
Opportunities
Upcoming Internships and Summer Programs
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SENIOR SPOTLIGHT Hannah Wolfe PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR? Major- Environmental Engineering College- Hopefully Georgia Tech or MIT FUTURE CAREER PATH? Environmental Engineering- something involving managing manufacturing/plastic pollution FAVORITE CLASS AT TENNENT? AP Chemistry HOW ARE YOU INVOLVED AT WTHS? Mu Alpha Theta, Science NHS, NHS, Student Government, Athletic Council WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO? Figure Skate & Coach at the Colonial Skating Club of PA Working 15 hours a week at Tony’s Place Bar and Grille ADVICE FOR UNDERCLASSMEN? Know how you learn and be confident in your work. Don’t waste time using study methods that don’t work for you.
STEM CREDITS Biology 1 Stream Study Meteorology Honors Geometry Intro to Psychology Chemistry 1 Honors Algebra 2 AP Chemistry Honors Precalculus Intro to Programming Intro to Engineering Design Honors Genetics Honors Physics AP Physics AP Calculus BC AP Bio Game Design CAD Engineering Design
LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL
05
WISE
KELLEY SPELLMAN WTHS CLASS OF 2020 WISE asked University of Missouri sophomore and William Tennent graduate, Kelley Spellman, about life after high school. WISE: How did you end up out in the Midwest for school? KS: I wanted to go to a big school, where I did not know anyone going in, and they had a program for Occupational Therapy. Mizzou offers a 3+3 OTD (Occupational Therapist Doctorate) so I will graduate in 6 years with my doctorate.
WISE: What has been your favorite course so far in college? KS: I have enjoyed most of my courses in college so picking a favorite is hard. My favorite course was probably my Principles of Human Development or my Survey of Psychopathology course. WISE: If you could talk to your 9th grade self what advice would you give? KS: I would advise myself to learn how to study before getting to college. I never really had to study in high school so I never developed a study tactic that works for me. Once I got to college, specifically my courses from last semester, I had to figure out my own way of studying. WISE: Was there any class at WT that you are really glad you took before college or helped you prepare for college? KS: I feel that many of the classes I took at WT helped prepare me for college. I did take honors and AP classes, so you were already held to a high standard, but because of this once I got to college, I was committed to completing my work on time, & to my best abilities. Also, the teachers a WT genuinely care about their students. They want you to succeed in their class of course but they also want to give you the tools to succeed beyond high school. They will take time from their lives to help you after or before school or during their lunch breaks to ensure you understand the material of any of your classes. Tennent also taught me how to do research in an effective way. I had to help many of my friends with research during college because they never learned a true effective way to find nonbiased research.
Kelley is majoring in Health Sciences with an emphasis on Health and Wellness Services and a minor in Human Development and Family Science
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IN THE NEWS
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett Ever wonder who made your COVID vaccine? Meet Dr. Kizzmekia “Kizzy” Corbett, one of the scientists who were at the forefront of the Moderna vaccine. Although Dr. Corbett is only in her mid-thirties, the viral immunologist has many achievements under her belt. After graduating from the University of MarylandBaltimore County with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences in 2008, she attended the University of North Carolina and received her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology. She is currently a lead immunologist at NIH and will soon be working at Harvard’s Public Health Faculty. When the news of COVID-19 hit Dr. Corbett’s team in January of 2020, Dr. Corbett’s six years of training were put to the ultimate test. With her team of fellow immunologists, Dr. Corbett was able to produce the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine in just over the span of eleven months. Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett is not only an immunology genius, but the first black woman to lead a team creating a COVID vaccine. Hopefully, her achievements will continue to encourage more young women to join the medical field and become trailblazers in STEM. By Maddy Haney
Trailblazer Want to follow someone who is actively changing the world? Follow Dr. Kizzy Corbett @Kizzyphd
making WT proud as they participate in TRIP this spring.
Meet Diya (11th), Niki (9th), Keith (11th) & Jenan (11th) (L-R). They will be
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TRIP INITIATIVE Teen Research Internship Program This spring, four William Tennent High School students will have the opportunity of a lifetime as they participate in the Fox Chase sponsored TRIP Initiative. The highly competitive program teaches students basic research and lab skills, and then supports the students to conduct independent research. WISE learned more about these four awesome future researchers and the program. WISE: How did you find out about TRIP? KEITH: I got an email from Mr. Jayo saying that I was recommended for TRIP by one of my teachers NIKI: I heard about TRIP after my English teacher, Mr. Cutillo, recommended I apply to this program. JENAN: I had heard about the trip through my science class teachers, as well as Mr. Jayo, who had really encouraged and helped me apply to TRIP. DIYA: I heard about TRIP through Science National Honor Society and lots of encouragement from Mr. Jayo and my science teachers.
WISE: Why did you want to apply to TRIP? JENAN: I previously thought about doing research in my future and once I came across this amazing opportunity, I knew I wanted to apply. I look forward to being under the wings of Dr. Leystra and Dr. Purdy, as I know I have much to learn from them. I knew TRIP would teach me skills that I would be able to apply in the lab as well as in real-life, such as problem-solving and critical thinking. Additionally, I knew that I would be able to meet with fellow young people that are driven and bright, and build my connections setting me up for success in the future. The TRIP Mission Statement
TRIP INITIATIVE
Teen Research Internship Program
DIYA: I decided to apply to TRIP because I knew it would be a great opportunity for me to see if research is something I am interested in pursuing. Even if I end up not loving it, I will still learn so many important lab, cooperation, and presentation skills. TRIP is also a great networking opportunity, and I am so excited to meet new people with similar interests to me. NIKI: I realized the aspects of TRIP really aligned with my interests and looked further into it. As I scrolled through their website and read about their alumni, I found myself really intrigued. Specifically, TRIP is science and technology-based, but that doesn't mean you can't learn/build on other things that aren't science and technology-related. This program operated by Dr. Purdy and Dr. Leystra - two talented and committed scientists working at Fox Chase - also builds many skills like time management, critical thinking, and analysis. WISE: What was the application process like? DIYA: The first part of the selection process consisted of filling out an application with essay questions. Some of the questions had to do with science, but they were most of all interested in who I am as a person. After the initial written application, I had an interview with both of the instructors of the program. Again, this just felt like an easy conversation because they asked me about myself and why I was interested in TRIP. KEITH: I had to answer several questions about myself and what I'm interested in. Then, I was notified that I was selected for the interview process. I prepared for the interview with Mr. Jayo and then went for the interview. I was very nervous for the interview, but when the time came, Drs. Purdy and Leystra made it much less stressful than I imagined. Waiting for the results was more stressful than the interview, but I got the email that I was accepted.
Applications for Summer TRIP @ Temple are now Available!
“Don't let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It's your place in the world; it's your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live.”
By NASA - https://archive.org/details/sts047-37-003, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=53562810
WISE WORDS
Mae Jemison
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Astronaut, Engineer, Physician & Professor
Centro de Atención Científico
Judith Rodriguez-Salas
Conozca a la científica forense Judith Rodríguez-Salas. Trabaja en el Centro de Investigación y Educación en Ciencias Forenses. Fernanda Velesco, senior de William Tennent, la entrevistó para saber más sobre su trabajo en el laboratorio.
Hola, mi nombre es Judith Rodríguez y soy una toxicóloga forense. Aquí están mis respuestas a sus preguntas para la entrevista. Gracias por la oportunidad de contar mi historia. ¿Cúal fue la motivación para seguir la carrera de ciencias forenses? Desde muy joven me han gustado las ciencias y sabía que quería hacer algo relacionado con ello. Desde siempre me ha gustado estar en el laboratorio y hacer experimentos. Cuando aprendí sobre las ciencias forenses sabía que tenía que perseguir esa carrera, ya que sirve para ayudar a la gente en el sistema legal con ciencia. ¿Cúal fue su experiencia al trabajar como mentor de toxicología forense? Como persona que le gusta estar en el laboratorio y no tener mucho contacto con otras personas, al principio estaba muy nerviosa de enseñar. Pero no tenia de que preocuparme, cuando empecé como mentora de toxicología para el FMI (Forensic Science Mentoring Institute) me alegre a el poder transmitir mi amor por la ciencia y la toxicología a mentes jóvenes. El estar todo un verano con alumnos tan dispuestos a trabajar y explorar nuevos horizontes fue muy satisfactorio. Hoy en día, ya no enseño a los alumnos, pero me ocupo de que los nuevos mentores estén entrenados y preparados para enseñar.
La científica forense Judith Rodríguez revisando muestras
Entrevista Continua ¿Cúal
es
su
satisfacción
al
ayudar
con
la
investigación de ITAD? ITAD se refiere a la base de datos Internacional para adulterantes tóxicos. Este proyecto se dedica a la obtención y difusión de información que los diferentes
adulterantes
tóxicos
que
se
han
encontrado en las diferentes drogas de abuso que los diferentes países han encontrado. Participar en este proyecto es muy satisfactorio ya que la difusión de esta información es muy importante ya que
la
alerta
de
los
diferentes
materiales
encontrados en las drogas, puede ayudar a hospitales a diagnosticar a personas que han sufrido una sobredosis y tienen más efectos adversos debido a estos adulterantes tóxicos. Vi que actualmente está trabajando en un proyecto relacionado con African Wildlife. ¿Cúal es su papel en esta investigación? En este proyecto soy la científica a cargo de crear métodos de detección de pesticidas en muestras tomadas de animales que han perecido en África. Diferentes
organizaciones
en
Zimbabwe
y
Botswana nos envían muestras extraídas de material
biológico
y
las
mandan
a
nuestro
laboratorio para su análisis. Una vez en nuestro laboratorio, me encargó de analizarlo y crear los informes
con
los
pesticidas
encontrados
y
mandarlos a las diferentes organizaciones para que puedan tomar las medidas legales pertinentes. .
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Fast Fashion The majority of the population today spend their lives scrolling through their phones while advertisements flood their feed. Some of the most viewed ads are in relation to the fast fashion industry. The latest fashion trends that consumers consistently see cause them to impulsively purchase clothing. This mass production of clothing supported by these toxic consumer actions is destroying the planet. Water and air pollution caused by the fast fashion industry has skyrocketed, causing around ten million tons of clothing to be sent to landfills per year. The production of fast fashion clothing and the aftermath that follows is a large issue that needs to be stopped. By Danielle Breiner Photo by Icons8Team on Unsplash
Part One: How Did We Get Here? Before the 1800s, producers had to source their own materials to manufacture clothing, making fashion a tedious business. Due to the manual labor and production costs, clothing was created to be long-lasting. However, once the Industrial Revolution erupted, textile factories were the first to pop up. New technology, like the sewing machine, made clothing easier and cheaper to create. With this new technology, companies were able to create trendy clothing and follow generational expressionism. By the 2000s, the idea of online shopping became popular and online retailers skyrocketed. These new brands took inspiration from top trends and runway designs, which led to cheap and quicklymade clothing. Today, fast fashion is defined as low-quality, rapidly-produced clothing by huge corporations in response to the latest style trends. Overproduction and consumption
Photo by Prince_Perry on Unsplash
play a vital role in the toxic industry of fast fashion, leading to
Photo by Freestocks on Unsplash
clothing becoming one of the largest pollutants on Earth.
Fast Fashion & Sustainability The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of carbon emissions around the world. Carbon emissions contribute greatly to greenhouse gasses, which negatively affect the Earth's atmosphere and cause climate change. Other issues such as glaciers melting, the disturbance of wildlife habitats, and rising sea levels are consequences of global warming.
One
of
the
most
prominent
of
these
environmental issues is the effect that fast fashion has on water. Toxic fabric dyes and other harmful chemicals that are used in production contaminate freshwater, putting sea life and humankind at risk. In fact, textiles produce 20% of global wastewater. For example, it takes 2,000 gallons of water to produce one pair of jeans. Much of the clothing produced by fast fashion companies are created from cheap fabrics such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic. They account for 60% of the fabric used in manufacturing fashion. When washed, these fabrics release microfiber plastics into waterways. Microplastics are extremely difficult to clear out, which leads to marine life consuming them. These synthetics will take hundreds of
years
to
break
down,
creating
larger
landfills,
contributing to the emission of methane, a heat-trapping gas.
Not
only
are
these
fabrics
terrible
for
the
environment, but they are of poor quality for people to wear. The poor quality of this clothing and the fabrics used to make it inexpensive increases the buying rate. This causes 80% of textile waste to end up in landfills or to be incinerated, increasing greenhouse gasses and the growth in decomposable landfills.
Look for Part Two on Sustainable Fashion in Our Next Issue
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HERSTORY
ROSALIND FRANKLIN STORY BY COURTNEY FOX
Whether she was studying coal, becoming an x-ray crystallographer, or helping shape the way we understand DNA; Rosalind Franklin was an amazing female scientist. As a young girl, Franklin was exceptionally intelligent. She succeeded greatly in school, and by the time she was 15, she knew she was going to be a scientist. In her early career, Franklin studied coal, the main fossil fuel of her time. Her goal was to understand the porosity of coal, which would be a key factor in the effectiveness of the WW2 gas masks. While studying coal, Franklin discovered that the carbon formed from coal falls into two categories: graphitizing and non-graphitizing. Her discovery made the industrial process much more efficient and easier. Eventually, she moved on from studying coal to becoming an x-ray crystallographer. Franklin, an expert with x-ray diffraction, joined a partnership with 3 male scientists: James Watson, Francis Crick, and Maurice Wilkins. They were going to discover what shape DNA was. Unfortunately, almost right away Franklin and Wilkins didn't get along. Franklin was brusque and forceful and Wilkins didn't like that. At first, Watson and Crick thought that DNA was 3 stranded. They showed their idea to Franklin, which she dismissed immediately. After this failed attempt, the head of their lab shut them down. The shutdown didn't stop Franklin from doing great things. In 1952, she took photo 51. In 1953, the group of Franklin, Watson, Wilkins, and Crick got back together and continued working on the DNA puzzle. However, when Wilkins showed Watson photo 51, he gave no credit to Franklin. Watson was amazed by the photo and concluded from it that DNA must be a Double Helix. Watson talked to
Wilkins and Crick, and they all agreed on his idea, but knew they needed precise numbers to prove it. Unwillingly, Rosalind gave them the data they needed. Tragically, Franklin didn’t know what her partners were doing with her data, much less allowing them to interpret it. In March of 1953, Wilkins and Franklin went to Cambridge to see the model of DNA, and they both instantly agreed that it was correct. Watson and Crick published the model and Wilkins and Franklin separately published the data. In 1958, Rosalind Franklin died of ovarian cancer. This was four years before Watson, Crick, and Wilkins received their Nobel Prize for Franklin’s discovery work on DNA. Franklin never got the recognition or credit that she deserved. Nor did she really understand how heavily Watson and Crick relied on her data in order to succeed themselves.
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UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES Check out the next few pages for amazing upcoming opportunities in our area.
If you have questions or need help with the application process reach out to dalecy@centennialsd.org Keep an eye on those application deadlines!
Meets Every Other Wednesday 2:20 -3:30 in Ms. Slipp's Room C206 Email Ms. Slipp with questions slipli@centennialsd.org
PICTURE YOURSELF HERE
WTHS GIRLS WHO CODE CLUB
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Women In Science & Engineering
Do you know someone
Have an idea for an article or
who should be
want to write for the next
celebrated for their
issue?
accomplishments in STEM?
Contact: dalecy@centennialsd.org