May 2, 2026
Our MASS AWIS booth was buzzing with energy at the Girl Scouts STEM Fest. We had a fantastic turnout, with Girl Scouts of all ages stopping by to explore the fascinating fields of biomaterials and tissue engineering.
Our volunteers led a hands-on, interactive demonstration of hydrogel formation using sodium alginate and calcium chloride solutions. The girls got to step into the shoes of tissue engineers by exploring the process of ionic crosslinking.
There were many great science moments throughout the day but our favorites were:
Participants got to choose between creating their own gel beads or long gel strands, watching liquids rapidly transform into soft, solid-like materials right before their eyes.
When we discussed how these specialized biomaterials can mimic the natural properties of human tissues, opening up a dialogue about real-world biomedical and medical applications.
It was an absolute pleasure interacting with the Girl Scouts, answering their insightful questions, and seeing their enthusiasm for lab science.
These types of activities are a powerful way to give back by teaching and empowering younger generations.
A huge thank you to all of our incredible volunteers who dedicated their time and expertise to make this event such a success! 🔬🧪