Warner Helps Girls ‘Wonder’ About Science

Girls may start out as fascinated by science as boys, but research has shown that they start to lose interest as they grow older—unless, perhaps, they learn that women can “do” science, too.

The Web site iWASwondering.org, created by the National Academy of Science, aims to help “tween” girls find inspiration in the stories of women scientists. April Luehmann, assistant professor at the Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development, advised the academy on design and content.

Launched last winter, the site includes biographies of women scientists, games, information, and inspiration. Two then Warner School students, Laura Farra and Sarah Hurley, also contributed to the project as science education developers. And it looks like it’s a success: The site attracted about 18,500 hits from around the world in its first two months.