http://www.democratandchronicle.com/...0333/1002/NEWS
Girls learn by doing science
13 participate in program that also includes volunteer work
Ernst Lamothe Jr.
Staff writer
(November 13, 2005) — With her face centimeters away from a microscope, Kiara Worth adjusted her green goggles as she looked at the effects of an onion drenched in salt water.
"It's wrong, anyone who says boys are the only ones good in science," said Kiara, 14, of Rochester. "There're plenty of female scientists who had to go through all this work to become good."
Thirteen African-American girls are participating in a program at the University of Rochester intended to enhance their interest in science. The program goes from September to June with students meeting the first Saturday of each month for volunteering and the second Saturday for science experiments. 
"Sometimes girls shy away from science. Learning science by doing science teaches them better than just figuring out concepts," said April Lynn Luehmann, assistant professor at UR's Warner Graduate School of Education.
Students mixed salt into water and put droplets on carrots, onions, and celery to view the process of osmosis, the movement of water molecules.
The program merged aspects of the Delta Academy, which is under the umbrella of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, and the Science STARS program at UR, which develops interactive projects for young students.
"It's a chance for girls to support themselves and each other to build sisterhood," said Phyllis Likely, a member of Delta Sigma Theta.
LaShanna Milton, 16, said she's leaning toward law over science but didn't want to pass up the program's opportunities.
"There are college students helping out in this class, so when I go to college, this will help me be better prepared," the Rochester resident said.
Brittney Johnson, 14, plans to be a pediatrician, so it wasn't hard to pique her interest.
"This is a whole new experience and I like it," said Brittney, of Chili. "This gives us a chance to explore so many new things."
Luehmann said one of her happiest moments in the program happened last week.
"A student, Temielle Floyd-Foster, put on one of the lab coats and said 'Wow, I feel like a scientist.' That's the point of the program," Luehmann said.
ELAMOTHE@DemocratandChronicle.com