WILLIAMSPORT — Alexandria Pavkovich, a research and development chemist at Restek, watched the face of a young girl light up when she created a mini lava lamp by adding an Alka-Seltzer tablet to a vial of colored water and mineral oil.
It was Feb. 17 at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, and the experiment was one of two Restek brought with them to the first of three STEM expos Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania will host this year. Restek also had a gumball separation demonstration.
“It felt like a big hit, and they were excited they could take their lava lamps home to show their friends and family,” Pavkovich said. “I take a great interest in getting girls into science. Some of them are coming from a smaller area and it is fun to broaden their experience and spark an interest in science.”
More than 1,500 Girl Scouts in grades kindergarten through 12th have registered to attend the free expos, which feature dozens of activities provided by program partners that bring science, technology, engineering and mathematics skill-building opportunities directly to girls. Another expo recently was held at East Stroudsburg University, and the final one will be Saturday, May 19, at Millersville University.
“Girls are learning about STEM because of companies like Restek,’ said Ellen M. Kyzer, president and CEO of Girls Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania. ‘The dedication of employees in giving their time and expertise never ceases to amaze me. GSHPA’s mission is to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. We are successful because supporters like Restek invest in our girls and help create the next generation of successful female leaders.”
Restek is committed to supporting local STEM programs and often attends elementary and middle school STEM fairs.
“You don’t get this kind opportunity at every company. It’s great that we get to spread our love of science to the younger generation,” Pavkovich said. “You see their minds spark with curiosity as they engage, understand and begin to see possibilities unfold. It’s pretty inspiring to watch them find joy in both scientific discovery and also in the realization that they have the potential to become anything they want to be.”
Accompanying Pavkovich from Restek were Joe Windell, Jana Rousova and Titus Morehead.
Other exhibitors included Pocono Environmental Education Center, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Association for Women in Mathematics, Wildlands Conservancy, Lincoln Caverns, AccuWeather and Da Vinci Science Center.
For more information about Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania, visit www.gshpa.org.
