GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Girl Scouts are invited to participate in an afternoon of discovery at the Florida Museum of Natural History’s “She’s a Scientist: A Girl Scout Exploration” program Nov. 4.

Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts will be able to explore the museum from 1 to 4 p.m. and engage in hands-on activities and experiments while meeting local scientists.

“We hope this will encourage Girl Scouts to consider studying and succeeding in a science or technology field in the future,” said Florida Museum educator Tiffany Ireland.

The program will feature multiple female scientists, many of whom work at the University of Florida. The scientists

will share with Scouts what they’re working on in their respective fields, ranging from biology to astronomy. Participants will also have the opportunity to examine fossils under a microscope, learn about live plants and animals from Florida’s freshwater ecosystems and experiment with smell and taste receptors.

“This will hopefully broaden the girls’ understanding of what science can be,” Ireland said.

Allison Bordini, an education and outreach specialist for the Mint Genome Project who works in the Florida Museum Soltis Lab, will lead a station where Scouts may touch live mint plants, examine specimens under microscopes and discover what gives them their unique smell.

“I think the Girl Scouts will love our station because there’s so much to it,” Bordini said. “Plants are so cool in that they can get so much done, such as pollinating or defending themselves, without ever moving. During the event the girls can touch, smell, ask questions and use skills to draw conclusions about the plants. Visitors love learning and exploring, and we’re here to do that in a fun way.”

The Mint Genome Project is a National Science Foundation-funded program in collaboration with Michigan State University. Florida Museum and other researchers are investigating the chemical diversity and phylogeny of the mint family, Lamiaceae, one of the largest and economically important plant families.

The Scouts will earn a special patch created for the event as well as their museum patch. The program cost is $5 per Scout. Pre-registration is required to receive a patch at the event.

For more information, call 352-273-2061 or visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/event/shes-a-scientist-exploration.

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Writer: Jessica Finkel, 352-273-2032, PRintern@flmnh.ufl.edu
Sources: Tiffany Ireland, 352-273-2061, tireland@flmnh.ufl.edu; Allison Bordini, abordini@ufl.edu
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu