Press Release National Children’s Museum Partners with IF/THEN®, an initiative of Lyda Hill Philanthropies, to Host Free, Virtual Career Events for Children Under 12

press release

Dream of STEAM: National Children’s Museum Partners with IF/THEN®, an initiative of Lyda Hill Philanthropies, to Host Free, Virtual Career Events for Children Under 12

For immediate release:
March 2, 2021

Washington, DC – National Children’s Museum, a nationally recognized cultural and educational institution that serves children and families, has partnered with IF/THEN®, an initiative of Lyda Hill Philanthropies, to host a series of virtual career pathways events for children under 12 years old to explore job opportunities in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). The IF/THEN Initiative is dedicated to closing the gender gap in STEM and inspiring the next generation of girls to pursue STEM careers, providing them with women role models.   

The Museum developed two events encouraging children to imagine careers in climate science and engineering as they ask questions of real-life experts in the field.

Careers in Climate Science

On March 4 at 4 p.m. EST, young innovators will be empowered to dream big about their futures and explore the many career opportunities in the fight against climate change. Participants will meet two AAAS IF/THEN® Ambassadors—Dr. Kimberley Miner, a climate scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, and Shyla Raghav, an environmental conservationist and climate change expert at Conservation International—and hear how they work to save our planet each day. The AAAS IF/THEN® Ambassadors are female STEM innovators selected by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Lyda Hill Philanthropies®, all serving as high-profile role models for girls. 

The 30-minute, live event is open to the public on Zoom Webinar. While learners of all ages are welcome, this event will be particularly meaningful for children who are 8 years or older. Families can register through the Museum’s website here

Careers in Engineering

In honor of National Engineers Week, on Feb. 25, the Museum hosted a live streamed event for classrooms across the country to explore careers in engineering. Almost 800 students and educators signed up for the event to hear from two AAAS IF/THEN® Ambassadors, computer engineer Afua Bruce and roboticist and choreographer Catie Cuan, about their engineering jobs and STEAM journeys. A recording of this event can be found here for on-demand viewing. 

To learn more about careers for women in STEM, visit the IF/THEN® Collection, the largest, free resource of its kind with thousands of photos and videos of diverse and powerful images of contemporary women in STEM. The IF/THEN Collection is used to  modernize and advance gender representation for nonprofits, museums, teachers, schools, camps, parents, media and more.

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About National Children’s Museum

National Children’s Museum reopened in February 2020 as a unique hybrid institution that combines learning elements found in a science center with children’s museum experiences. Through hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) based exhibits, programs, and virtual offerings, the Museum sparks curiosity and ignites creativity for children under the age of twelve and their families. Since its reopening, the Museum has reached more than 1 million people through in-person and digital initiatives. Learn more and engage with virtual STEAM resources at nationalchildrensmuseum.org

About IF/THEN®

IF/THEN® is part of Lyda Hill Philanthropies’ commitment to fund game-changing advancements in science and nature. IF/THEN® seeks to further advance women in STEM by empowering current innovators and inspiring the next generation of pioneers. Rooted in a firm belief that there is no better time to highlight positive and successful female professional role models, IF/THEN® is designed to activate a culture shift among young girls to open their eyes to STEM careers by: (1) funding and elevating women in STEM as role models, (2) convening cross-sector partners in entertainment, fashion, sports, business and academia to illuminate the importance of STEM everywhere, and (3) inspiring girls with better portrayals of women in STEM through media and learning experiences to pique their interest in STEM careers. To learn more, visit www.ifthenshecan.org or follow IF/THEN® on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.