The World According to M.I.S.S.: Dr. Sally Ride Holds Roundtable on Gender Equality in Education

Dr. Sally Ride, the first American woman to travel to space and noted physicist, hosted a roundtable event on December 8, 2009 in Palo Alto, CA discussing gender equality in math and science education. Sponsored by ExxonMobil the event brought together female executives such as Judy Estrin of JLabs and Kim Perdikou of Juniper Networks to discuss ways to inspire young girls into math and science centered careers. Women hold about 25% of the jobs in science, technology and engineering, very few of them being in the top tiers of those industries.

“Our workforce needs more scientists and engineers, and specifically, more women pursuing these important fields of study,” said Estrin, a roundtable panelist from JLabs. “It’s time to focus on engaging young women in these areas.”

The roundtable was the first of several scheduled across the United States discussing possible solutions to the declining interest and enrollment in math and science centered programing for young adults, especially women. According to the National Science Foundation, women represent only 46 percent of the workforce, but 25 percent of those women hold careers dedicated to science, engineering, and technology. President and CEO of Sally Ride Science, Dr. Ride believes that it’s essential to bring people together to tackle this critical issue and search for ways to diversify the math and science industry.

“ExxonMobil is passionate about preparing young people, particularly girls, for careers in science, technology, engineering and math,” said Penny Wirsing, environmental group leader for ExxonMobil in Torrance, CA. “These roundtable discussions were created to encourage and enhance education initiatives for future scientists and engineers, and ignite interest and participation of local communities, elected officials and corporations across the country.”

Continuing this year in Boston, Atlanta and Washington D.C. business community leaders, educators, and government officials will be invited into this vital discussion to share views on how to initially engage young women and keep their interest in industries involving math, science, and technology. To assist in this effort Dr. Ride announced the partnership The Sally Ride Science Academy also sponsored by ExxonMobil. The partnership will provide a week long training program for educators in ways to encourage and stimulate their students interest in math and science education through programs that will make math and science relevant and curriculum augmentation. Teachers will also be given constructive feedback training, and gender equality training to help foster an encouraging and collaborative learning environment.

LA-based BOA Events announces show dates for Rise&Fall, an art and music event series that commemorates the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. This national mobile art installation and electronic music event will feature artwork that interprets the theme “Breaking Down Barriers.” All artwork will be displayed on Kodak S730 and D830 digital picture frames that will showcase the multiple entries that were received during the open call for submissions. The nightlife event will also include music performed by renowned Turkish-German DJ/Producer, DJ Ipek Ipekcioglu.

“During our open call for submissions, we received artwork from 19 countries and 19 states within the United States. Submissions were requested in digital form to be displayed on Kodak digital picture frames throughout the venues because it allows us to showcase creative representations of the broader theme of breaking down barriers to a demographic in venues and volume we otherwise could not,” added Mikaela Pollock, co-director of BOA.

Interested individuals are invited to visit the Rise&Fall Web site at www.rise-fall.comto find out more about an event near them. Confirmed Rise&Fall venue and dates are as follows (more to be confirmed on the Rise&Fall Web site):

11/05/09 – Public Assembly featuring live painting from Japanese street artist, PESU – presented by COOL Magazine in Brooklyn, New York (www.publicassemblynyc.com)

11/12/09 – White Room in Miami, Florida (www.whiteroomshows.com)

11/18/09 – DC9 in Washington, DC (www.dcnine.com)

11/19/09 – Enormous Room in Boston, MA (www.enormous.tv)

11/20/09 – Tazza Caffe in Providence, RI (www.tazzacaffe.com)

11/21/09 – Venue TBA in Las Vegas, NV

11/27/09 – The Purple Lounge at The Standard Hotel Hollywood in Los Angeles (www.thestandard.com)

Erin Go Bragh! Or maybe Atrak Go Bragh would be more appropriate (um, translates to Atrak Forever!). Whether you’re in it for Irish Pride of your love of Atrak and that thang de do soooo well, if you’re in Boston for St. Patty’s Day, them make your way to The Estate to do this wearin’ of the green day proper. Brought to you by Karmaloop. Get your tickets here.

Hey ladies!  This Saturday, Female Sneaker Fiend is hosting a party in Boston for the ladies to customize their kicks.  Bring a pair of new, or lightly used sneaks to decorate with supplies provided by SneakArt.  The first 20 girls get a free sneakskin, stickers to customize your shoes that are waterproof and can handle the daily wear and tear of wearing your kicks.  Ill P is providing the tunes and Karmaloop TV will be there to capture the event on film.  The event is this Saturday, September 20th, from 3 to 7 pm, at the Re-Up and is open to all ages.

Karmaloop TV caught up with Kid Sister in Boston at a Radio interview and after party. Check out what Kid Sister has to say and what her favorite legumes are: