SOCIAL NETWORKING

Social Network to Bring Women Scientists under the Microscope

The Underthemicroscope.com social networking site aims to connect women with science and technology. An initiative of Women Writing Science, a project by The Feminist Press at the City University of New York and funded by the National Science Foundation, it’s created with sponsorship and development support from IBM. 

Currently the site provides the opportunity to post personal stories, feature, and guest blogging, news about science, and links to related resources. Within the year the site will include more social networking opportunities, tips on careers, tips for parents, expanded links to science-related sites, and mentoring.  

Subsequently, the site will provide information about internships and scholarships as well as serialized chapters of Women Writing Science publications that can be downloaded free of charge and an online book club.  

"Underthemicroscope.com with IBM's help combines new technology, like social networking, with traditional publishing to better communicate with young women in science, develop new content for stories and serve as a place of learning and inspiration," said Gloria Jacobs, executive director of the Feminist Press.  

Women Writing Science will publish books of biography, fiction, history, career profiles, and how-to-survive guides presenting women as both scientists and as writers about science. It will also provide free teacher guides describing lesson plans and strategies for using the books in science curricula. These materials will be downloaded from Underthemicroscope.com.  

Women Writing Science begins its publishing program early in 2009 with two books: BASE TEN: A Novel by Maryann Lesert and WOMEN IN SCIENCE: Then and Now by Vivian Gornick, with a Foreword by Donna E. Shalala. 

IBM is supporting Underthemicroscope.com as part of its efforts to encourage more young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.