Stephanie Greenman Stone (415) 379-5121
sstone@calacademy.org

Pat Kilduff (415) 321-8125

Academy Sponsors Day for Women in Science

Conference on May 16, 2005 at the Academy of Sciences
will inspire Bay Area high school students to pursue careers in science

Full college scholarships will be awarded to two participants

SAN FRANCISCO (April 14, 2005) - What is the role of women in science? This is a question that has been hotly debated in recent weeks. It is a question that the California Academy of Sciences hopes to address by offering a unique opportunity for young women in the San Francisco area - the chance to participate in a California Women in Science day at the Academy on May 16, 2005. This day-long event will feature presentations by women who have excelled in many diverse science and engineering disciplines, including Academy paleontologist Nina Jablonski, Google software engineer Lauren Baptist, Raven Biosciences cell biologist and CEO Jennie Mather, UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Denice Denton, and UC Berkeley Physicist Frances Hellman. The participants will also have the opportunity to tour the Academy's behind-the-scenes research operations and talk with Academy scientists in small breakout sessions. Finally, to underscore the Academy's commitment to this program and the unquestioned value that women bring to scientific disciplines, two of the participating girls who most passionately and clearly articulate their love of science and their future plans will be awarded full, four-year college scholarships to the institution of their choice by an anonymous donor.

The Academy has asked high school science teachers from schools in the San Francisco area to nominate female students who demonstrate passion and aptitude for one or more fields of science to participate in this year's California Women in Science day. About 140 high school juniors and seniors will be selected by the Academy to participate in the conference, based on their teachers' recommendations. Each of the selected participants will be eligible to apply for one of the two college scholarships that will be awarded in conjunction with the conference.

The California Academy of Sciences, including Steinhart Aquarium and the Natural History Museum, is open to the public at 875 Howard Street, Admission to the Academy at 875 Howard Street is: $7 for adults, $4.50 for youth ages 12 to 17, Seniors ages 65+ and students with valid ID, $2 for children ages four to 11 and children ages three and younger will be admitted free of charge. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. www.calacademy.org (415) 379-8000.

The California Academy of Sciences, the fourth largest natural history museum in the United States, is home to Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium and the Natural History Museum. The Academy is beginning an extensive rebuilding project in Golden Gate Park. Pritzker prize-winning architect Renzo Piano is designing the new Academy, which is expected to open in 2008.

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