A program called “Internet Explorers” has brought sixteen high school girls to Ames for a summer workshop that may someday turn them into scientists. The six-week program enables girls to pick virtually any topic that interests them, research it, and create an Internet website devoted to it.Larry Genalo is a professor of materials science and engineering at Iowa State University. He says the websites the girls develop are designed to appeal to sixth-grade girls. Sixth-grade teachers across Iowa are informed of the websites so they can encourage their female students to develop an early interest in science and engineering.Website topics range from lasers to medicine to how an airplane flies. Genalo says the program is dedicated to changing the face of science and engineering.Students this year are taking part from all over Iowa and from as far away as Georgia and Pennsylvania. To see the websites, go to “www.eng.iastate.edu/explorer” and dozens of links are available to explore.
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