"Saving the planet or at least helping can make a change. Anyone can make a change. I've been truly inspired." ---- Girls Project Participant

With support from the Jefferson County Community Foundation’s Fund for Women and Girls, six girls from Port Townsend and Chimacum recently took part in an 8-week program called Girls in Real-Life Science or GIRLS Project, which introduced them to the world of scientific research. Statistics show that many girls are enthusiastic about science at a young age but all too often they lose their interest by middle or high school, usually because they lack motivating science experiences and female role models who are excited about science themselves.

PTMSC is engaged in a variety of science-related projects, several of which are conducted by motivated young women with strong interests in science. Valerie Lindberg and Julia Ledbetter, two Americorps staff members who are doing original research themselves, took the lead on the GIRLS Project.

Valerie Lindborg and Julia Ledbetter

The six girls who joined the project came from different local schools. Each girl was motivated by a unique and personal interest in science. The group met regularly to explore a variety of topics, inspired by scientific activities going on at PTMSC.

Kreea Baabahar, Anda Yoshina, Becca Stewart and Rosie Wilcox. Missing from the photo are Alethea Westlund and Britta Janssen.

Valerie and Julia's own research focused on the presence of plastics in the diet of Glaucous-winged Gulls nesting on nearby Protection Island. The girls got a good introduction to the way scientists work as they helped the two women dissect and analyze the contents of seagull boluses (pellets of undigested material regurgitated by birds) and prepare the data for publication. They also looked at other impacts plastics are having on marine life. They sampled local beaches for the presence of microplastics particles in the sand, and they conducted a beach clean-up, using the litter they collected in creative arts projects that would be used to educate people about the amount of plastic now moving about in marine environments.

Britta sieving microplastics.

Alethea modeling dress made of discarded plastic.

Kreea and Rosie investigating bubble gum.

The girls got involved in other marine science activities, such as using a seine net to catch and record marine animals living in an eelgrass bed. They carried out a beach survey as part of Naturemapping for Beaches, a program coordinated by researchers at the University of Washington that monitors the biodiversity of intertidal life. And there was fun and laughter too, as when the girls used scientific procedures to study the properties of bubble gum!

The girls all carried out research projects of their own, and as the program came to an end in May they shared their projects in a community event attended by a very appreciative audience.

Anda presented her study of seaglass distribution on local beaches.

Becca showing her study of changes in local fish populations over time.

What has it meant to the girls? One girl told the project leaders that her weeks in the Girls Project had helped her decide she wanted to go into science. Others shared a new realization that science careers could also include art and education. They all underwent a shift in their perception of science, realizing that scientific activities, especially hands-on field activities were something they could see themselves doing. They also got in touch with several environmental challenges affecting ocean health. Most importantly, they realized their own ability to make a difference.