The Stories of Women in Fluids Initiative: Middle Grade Anthology*

The Stories of Women in Fluids Initiative presents a multi-author talk on their Middle Grade Anthology, which features a collection of scientific narratives by female identifying individuals targeted towards readers ages 8 to 12. These women worked to interweave the fluid dynamics knowledge they have built up through their research with the story of how they became interested in the field and where it has taken them, personally and professionally. The authors of this anthology showcase the breadth of fluid dynamics applications, with the goal of leading by example and encouraging the interest of female identifying students in fluid dynamics and, more broadly, STEM. This talk will provide insight to the process of writing to engage students in the middle grades as well as the authors’ motivations for sharing their stories. It will additionally showcase excerpts from the anthology, written by four authors. Marie Herbert will share the close-to-home connection that motivated her research into microfluidics for healthcare; Leah Mendelson will share how writing her story encouraged a candid reflection on identity, both in and outside of the lab; Sahar Rezapour will share how telling her story, from puzzle solving in childhood to puzzle solving wind energy, has motivated her in her PhD; and Haley Wohlever will share her experience learning through barriers she encountered in her graduate program.

*Authors contributed equally and are listed in alphabetical order.