Researcher Wows West Patent Students: Women in Science

MOUNT KISCO, NY — Teachers and students at West Patent Elementary School in the Bedford Central School District are participating this year in many conversations about women in science.

Students in grades four and five took a survey on their opinions about women in science, and the hallways of the school are lined with biographies and photos of accomplished women scientists in the fields of aerospace, energy, medicine and engineering.

On Dec. 9, the students in grades 3, 4 and 5 received a special presentation from Dr. Dana Mordue, academic scientist from New York Medical College.

She directs her own Research Lab studying infectious diseases and spends many hours performing research, writing grants and papers and teaching. Dr. Mordue told the students that she is lucky enough to sometimes be the first to discover a disease, a pathogen or how something works. The students asked questions about why she became a scientist, how long she needed to study and about her role models.

After the presentation came to a close, students lined up on the way out of the auditorium to ask "just one last question" or to simply thank Dr. Mordue for spending time with them.

Dorothy Venditto, Tiered Support Teacher at West Patent said that the school was humming with both students and teachers talking about this visit right on to the buses at dismissal. "It's not that we think all girls should be scientists, but we sure do want them to know that every career is open to them."

>>from West Patent Elementary School