Promoting hands-on science learning globally with low-cost lab kits through Women Supporting Women in the Sciences

Abstract

Women Supporting Women in the Sciences (WS2)—ws2global.org—is an international initiative unifying and supporting graduate- and professional-level women and allies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), while providing outreach to elementary- and secondary-level students. WS2 has been involved in the development of professional development workshops intended to empower university women and promote STEM careers. In their most recent venture, WS2 distributed low-cost physics and materials science lab kits that were designed virtually by international teams. These kits are relevant to elementary and secondary school students across the world, with initial focus on local schools in eastern Africa. In this Backstory, part of the WS2 leadership team (Dr. Joyce Elisadiki, Dr. Cecilia Rolence China, and Dr. Jill Wenderott) discusses how the Lab Kit Initiative came together and highlights outcomes and lessons learned from this project.