This past April was the Science Cheerleaders’ first appearance at the UNC Science Expo. SciCheers Christina, Sarah, and I had a fantastic time! We were welcomed by our fellow scientists across all different fields. Learners of all ages stopped by our table and learned how to use binary code to make initial bracelets. Our poms were also a hit and we got to watch some future Science Cheerleaders use them to make up their own science cheers for us!

The event was attended by 7,000 people, and featured 560 STEM professionals, 5 stage performances, and even a robotic dog.

Some of our favorite interactions were with young cheerleaders and dancers, who we got to encourage to continue to work hard and pursue their dreams in sports and their academic goals. Later in the day, we had the chance to take the stage and lead the crowd in a gravity cheer! We were lucky enough to be joined by the UNC mascot, Rameses, as well as some of the Duke Cheerleaders, showing us that even the greatest rivalry can be put aside in the name of science!

Some of the kids in the crowd shouted “again” after our cheer and we couldn’t agree more, we can’t wait to come back to the UNC Science Expo again!