Nearly 200 girls, including some from Suffolk, attended the sixth annual Science Alive event, hosted by Norfolk State University and Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast, on Sept. 17.

After being welcomed to Norfolk State University by Dr. Stacey Franklin Jones, interim vice president for academic affairs, girls participated in hands-on opportunities to discover science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in a fun and interactive learning environment.

A variety of sessions, led by Norfolk State University students and staff, covered topics including engineering, chemistry, medicine, biology and physics. Hands-on activities included using electronic SnapCircuits, programming robotic LEGO cars, making a tornado in a bottle to learn about atmospheric pressure and taking part in a visual geometry workshop.

In addition to participating in the STEM workshops, girls had an opportunity to tour the Norfolk State University campus, meet student athletes and talk to sorority members about college life.

“Science Alive was a wonderful experience for all girls to interact with professors and current students at Norfolk State University. This is an event that girls look forward to yearly,” said Donna Farnham, GSCCC events assistant.

Science Alive is designed to expose girls to STEM opportunities in the supportive, all-girl environment of Girl Scouts, where girls feel more comfortable asking questions and trying new things.

Today, women hold only about 25 percent of STEM careers, and Girl Scouts are working to fill the gap by engaging girls in opportunities to learn from female STEM leaders who inspire the girls to envision themselves in similar careers.

Upcoming STEM events being hosted by GSCCC include Girls STEAM Ahead, a workshop for girls in second through fifth grade on Oct. 8 at Nauticus. Also, Girl Scouts and the Society of Women Engineers will be hosting SWE Engineering Day, a workshop for girls in fourth and fifth grade on Oct. 29 at Old Dominion University.

These events are open to all girls, whether or not they are currently registered members of the organization.

For information on attending a STEM event, volunteering, or getting information about Girl Scout membership, visit www.gsccc.org or call 800-77SCOUT.