CLINTON, Iowa - Feb. 20, 2017 – When Jaci Moore, an Engineer at LyondellBasell’s Clinton Complex, spoke about math and science as a little girl, she carefully chose her words. Growing up, it wasn’t socially acceptable to express interest in math and science, especially for young girls. But today, Moore can hardly contain herself when talking about all the opportunities boys and girls have in school through STEM programs (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
"Math and science are cool!" said Moore. "Not only cool, but also a lot of fun and I want both boys and girls to understand this at an early age." Moore knows that by educating kids early, they will have a better chance of exploring science and math based careers as adults.
As a mentor in the Clinton County community, Moore is involved with the Central DeWitt School District Robotic Booster Club. The group helps raise funds to support programs to reach kindergarten students through high school seniors who build and program robots. Currently Moore is educating young children on the mechanisms of simple machines and the engineering design process. But her enthusiasm for science doesn’t end there. Moore coordinates plant tours at LyondellBasell, where she has been an engineer for the last 10 years. Each year, over 80 children and their families tour the LyondellBasell facility where Moore gives an introduction to chemical principals through experiments and demonstration of basic chemical reactions.
"This exposure is important, especially for the girls," said Moore. "As girls grow older, peer pressure often wins out over education. Being a ‘geeky’ scientist just doesn’t have the same appeal as other career paths."
However, Moore credits a recent shift in perception to mass marketing that makes engineering and science more interesting to girls. For example, Mattel’s Barbie doll now appeals to future women scientists. Mattel created a line of Barbie dolls that includes a computer engineer, architect and paleontologist among other science based careers.
This sits well with Moore who participates in the national campaign, "Introduce a Girl to Engineering" through an event at St. Ambrose University in Davenport. This year’s event will take place February 22 and is a part of National Engineers Week. The event allows girls ranging from preschool through 7th grade to experience engineering and science through various hands-on STEM activities sponsored by area business. Last year, over 500 girls were enrolled.
Moore’s passion for science is personal. She is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a Civil Engineering, Water Resources degree and has worked as an engineer for 20 years. She knows with the proper exposure to STEM, today’s youth will explore the possibility of future careers within the science industry. And she has a 9-year-old daughter who dreams of being a robotic engineer and someday developing space suits for Mars astronauts. "I want to help grow that dream, and the dreams of other children, into a reality. I guess I’m geeky like that," Moore said.
