The Fun of Science

At Science 2.0, Aimee Stern asks whether making science fun will lure the next generation of scientists in. She showcases some exhibits that will be at the USA Science & Engineering Festival this week in Washington, DC. There, wannabe researchers can see how people from NHGRI worked with students to extract DNA from strawberries — or how to "make goo resembling strawberry snot" — and do aerobics to see how the human body works with AAAS. Stern notes that former 76ers cheerleader Darlene Cavalier "is gathering up former and current cheerleaders who also have careers as scientists to create a special choreographed cheer" to show girls that science is cool, not geeky.