Go, Fight, Study! Cheerleaders Boost Female Science Careers

As someone with her head often in the books, I have a deep respect for the organization Science Cheerleader. The group, which consists of current and former professional cheerleaders working in or pursuing careers in the science industry, is the ultimate example of cheerleaders with beauty and brains — something the general public has trouble accepting. While I’m not saying a good cheerleader is one who is both dedicated to cheer and becoming Valedictorian, I do think cheerleaders should be as passionate about their education as they are their cheerleading career. Even if one’s goal is to become a professional cheerleader, business smarts is still required. Currently, Science Cheerleader is 250 members strong and growing. Even more incredible is how they are truly making a difference in the world and helping women fill the void in the male-dominated world of science. Recently, it was Science Night at a Philadelphia 76ers versus Cleveland Cavaliers basketball game, and two dozen of the Philly-based Science Cheerleader members were in attendance. These women attend various science conventions and events, shocking many when they introduce themselves. Read for yourself: “I’m Hilary Nicholson. I did my undergraduate degree in biochemistry at Colgate and now I’m doing my Ph.D. at Brown in molecular pharmacology and physiology, and I’m a Science Cheerleader.” While some say that these cheerleaders shouldn’t dress in traditional cheerleading attire if they’re professional scientists, members of Science Cheerleader say that’s the whole point. Hilary Nicholson explains to Newsworks.org, “It’s extremely polar. I mean, I stand out on the court and they announce I’m a molecular pharmacology and physiology Ph.D. student, and I have my hair curled and I’m wearing a short-suit and it doesn’t look like what they’re expecting. That polar opposite perception really drives the point home.” Science Cheerleader is determined to prove that female cheerleaders can prove two major myths wrong: they can be both cheerleaders and intelligent, and they can be both women and scientists. One of the big reasons women don’t have a loud voice in the science industry is because of the stereotype that women can’t (or that they shouldn’t) be scientists. Newsworks.org dug deep into census reports and other research and explained that only 26% of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) workers are women. Other research finds that the stereotype that female scientists are “undesirable” or “unattractive” greatly influences girls in middle school. By the eighth grade, boys are twice as interested in STEM careers as girls are. Science Cheerleader is here to fix that. Wendy Brown, a Science Cheerleader and Ph.D. student studying biomedical engineering, told Newsworks.org, “our ultimate goals are to inspire young people to be interested in science, specifically young girls, and to playfully challenge stereotypes.” As NFL cheer squads like the Oakland Raiderettes and Cleveland Ben-Gals prove that pro cheerleading isn’t a very lucrative career, suing their organizations for sub-minimum wage pay, Science Cheerleader shows that a girl can be a cheerleader and have a great career in a tough industry. 5, 6, 7, 8, who do we appreciate? Science Cheerleader! (Sorry, I had to do it!) Read more of the story here at Newsworks.org. Find out more about Science Cheerleader here at www.sciencecheerleader.com.