Science Cheerleaders came to the nation’s capital to ‘playfully challenge stereotypes’ about scientists and cheering.

Credit: Nick Zazulia

When you think of a cheerleader, you probably picture a smiling face attached to an athletic body. You probably don’t consider that the person might work as a molecular pharmacologist researching ways to more effectively treat cancer or an emergency room doctor who also has two law degrees.
Science Cheerleader exists to remind you that they might and to encourage girls to pursue interests in science, technology, engineering and math (or STEM) fields without feeling like they need to sacrifice other roles – like cheerleading – that might not be conventionally paired with them.
A dozen scientist-cheerleaders were on hand at the USA Science and Engineering Festival on April 16-17 in Washington to reach out to the community and work to accomplish those goals, as well as to help promote citizen science projects through its sister organization, SciStarter.
Former Philadelphia 76ers cheerleader Darlene Cavalier founded the organization…

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