Happy New Science Friday!

Math 2.0 Day

Math. Whether you love it or hate it, it is a vital part of our society. Math has been a key factor for almost every technological advancement in human history. Like your cell phone? Thank a mathematician. Enjoy flying to exotic locations? Someone needed to know A LOT of math to build that plane. Heck, even the fact that you're reading this email is due, in part, to math. 

So today, spread the word about Math 2.0 day, a day to highlight the beauty and innovation that happens when Math meets technology. Our world is built by Math and that's worth celebrating.

Math Gear Here!

 

 

Shop Local

Coming October 1!

The Because Science storefront will open October 1!

While we're getting moved-in, you can find all of your nerdy needs on our website.

Shop STEM Gifts

 

Shop Live

Even though the store is currently closed, you can still shop with us in-person at any of our local events: 

August 7 First Sunday Arts Festival, Annapolis, MD

September 4 First Sunday Arts Festival, Annapolis, MD

September 10-11 Clothesline Festival, Rochester, NY

September 24-25 Mosaic Fall Festival, Fairfax, VA

September 24-25 Occoquan Fall Arts & Crafts Show,
Occoquan, VA

October 1 Art on the Avenue, Alexandria, VA

October 2 Takoma Park Street Festival, Takoma Park,
MD

 

Something missing? Please recommend events you'd love to see us at, including craft shows, Maker Faires, and scientific academic conferences & expositions. 

 

Meet Kelly Knight

From Kelly: 

"If you told me 10 years ago that I'd be standing in a lab that has my name on the outside of it with my natural curls and pink lipstick on, I would have laughed at you 🥰.

It's been a long time since I have done an official introduction of myself so I am excited to partner with @thermofisherscientific to share with you #ThisIsHowIScience #ad.

For those of you who are new here, my name is Kelly and I am an associate professor of forensic science and the principal investigator of the forensic DNA lab you see in these pictures.

When I was growing up, I never saw images of scientists who looked like me so I would always straighten my hair and would wear dark oversized clothing to try to fit in. I even wore fake eyeglasses. That's what I saw in my textbooks and so that's what I equated with being smart so I tried to look the part to convince other people that I was smart too.

I majored in chemistry during undergrad and had a rough time but managed to get into one graduate school after being on the waitlist.

Those two years changed my life. I was mentored by someone who valued my authenticity. That boosted my self-confidence and helped shape me into the scientist that I was always destined to become.

I went on to work as a forensic DNA analyst in a crime lab for years before I caught the teaching bug. It was also during these years that I fell in love with STEM outreach because I wanted so desperately to pour into others the way my mentor had poured into me and to be the representation I never had.

Now I run outreach programs for hundreds of K-12 students each year including a summer STEM program for middle and high school girls of color. I'm also working on my PhD in science education research.

If you want to learn about other scientists like me, you have to check out the interviews Thermo Fisher did with six other amazing Black scientists. Click the link in my bio to check it out! I bet you'll see some familiar faces like my beautiful and talented STEM sista @teamkorie 🤗."

Kelly's Instagram: @kellythescientist