FabLab Encourages Girls to Engage with STEM

LOS ANGELES: FabLab, a science-themed series aimed at encouraging tween and teen girls to embrace STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), is introducing new interactive elements to the show, including the Lenovo FabFinder talent search.

During a press conference at The Archer School for Girls in Los Angeles, FabLab unveiled the Lenovo FabFinder national science talent search to find guest reporters and hosts to appear on the show. “This talent search gives young women a chance to showcase their interest in STEM and to connect with the next generation of STEM leaders,” said Yolanda Conyers, the VP of human resources and chief diversity officer for Lenovo. “Lenovo is proud to support a search to identify and tap into more diverse STEM talent.”

FabLab, from the producers of the Teen Choice Awards, airs nationally in more than 80 million homes as part of Xploration Station’s Educational and Informational STEM block of programming. It is produced in partnership with the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and hosted by Kerri Doherty, popular on YouTube for her comedic approach to all things geeky; Cara Santa Maria, a hipster science broadcaster; newcomer Aysia Bell; Madi Vorva, a Teen Choice Pro-Social award winner; and Nick Uhas, a former Big Brother contestant and a YouTube science guru. Celebrity co-hosts and guests also make appearances on the show.

Other interactive elements include the debut of FabLab News on the FabLab YouTube channel, which illustrates how science, technology and innovation help solve problems in the world today. There is also the previously announced Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest, which invites kids to vote online for the most exciting science project to help improve their communities. “Young students today are really thinking about how they can make the world a better place, and the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest can help guide them,” said Andrew Bowins, the VP of corporate reputation at Samsung Electronics America. “The contest challenges students to use their STEM skills to solve a problem in their community. We believe it encourages them to grow as students as well as neighbors, and we are excited to partner with FabLab. The program shows kids that there are even more opportunities to use STEM in the real world.”

FabLab also features a weekly Q&A segment with The Big Bang Theory’s Mayim Bialik, who commented, “As a neuroscientist who was encouraged to enter the field in high school, getting girls involved in science (or STEM) is a personal passion of mine. Through my interactive Ask Mayim segment, I hope to get more young women excited about getting into the field that I love so much.”

FabLab’s corporate partners include Samsung Electronics America, Lenovo, Motorola Mobility Foundation, Ally Bank, Brocade and L’Oréal USA. “Inspiring the next generation of girls in STEM is a key component of the L’Oréal USA For Women in Science program,” said Lauren Paige, L’Oréal USA’s VP of public affairs and strategic initiatives. “We are proud to partner with FabLab and look forward to featuring the exciting work of our For Women in Science fellows to help encourage girls to explore scientific careers.”

Some celebrities who have offered to lend their support through their social media networks include Leonardo DiCaprio and Karlie Kloss.

“We are thrilled to partner with FabLab for the launch of the show,” said Elizabeth English, head of school at The Archer School for Girls. “We know that STEM is the fastest-growing professional sector with the highest-paying jobs. We also know that these fields hold the key to solving some of our world’s most pressing problems, and as such demand a plurality of perspectives. Archer is proud to stand at the forefront of advancing girls in STEM and to be working toward a future where women are not only contributors to STEM solutions but leaders in the field.”