DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - For many girls in middle school, science education only includes what they learn in school. But the Chem Girls program at the Children's Museum of Illinois, helps girls build their love for science outside the classroom.
The program is a partnership between the Children's Museum and Millikin University's Chemistry Program. Led by Dr. Anne Rodriguez, girls get a chance to learn all about chromatography, food pigments, and titration. Participants get to be creative while using what they learn at the camp.
"So having the artistic aspect... helps them feel more included," said Dr. Rodriguez. "Like if I'm not really great in science in school, but I like art, you're mixing them. And a lot of people don't think of science as creative, but there's a lot of creativity that has to go into good science."
The girls took common fruits and vegetables, like strawberries, spinach, and black berries, and used them to paint pictures. For colors they couldn't get out of the plants, they combined the colors they did have to determine how those colors were created.
"I mixed colors and I learned what the different colors are made of," said Stella, a camp participant. "I've learned how to make colors out of ones that aren't available and to mix them together."
They also performed experiments with different products. seeing how chemical combinations would alter their color and characteristics. Dr. Rodriguez says programs like this help girls develop a sense of curiosity and interest in STEM fields.
" I like camp and the best part of that camp is playing with stuff that you wouldn't do at home," said Beatrix, a camp participant."
There is a Chem kids session coming up on September 20th. For more details, and to register, visit the Children's Museum of Illinois website.
Copyright 2025. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
