Names: Jessica Canty, 18; Maya Randolph, 18; Stephanie Carter, 17; Jada Norman 18; and Charice Stroud, 17.
School: Decatur High School.
Five Decatur High School girls won a national competition sponsored by DeVry University’s HerWorld Program. The contest challenged high school junior and senior girls across the country to invent a new use for existing products.
The Decatur team won for a new toothbrush that would that would detect oral health issues like cavities, tooth decay and gum disease. A small screen at the base of the tooth brush would indicate which area of the mouth need attention and inform the dentist. HerWorld, created in 1998 by DeVry provides high school girls opportunities to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
For their achievement, actress Danica McKellar, also a mathematician and author, visited Decatur High School and led an Algebra 3 class. McKellar who is known for her roles on “The Wonder Years” and “The West Wing” has written, “Math Doesn’t Suck," “Kiss My Math,” and “Hot X: Algebra Exposed." “There is a pressing need to break down gender barriers in science, technology, engineering and math industries, so we are thrilled to be working with Danica in an effort to help young women realize their full potential,” said David J. Pauldine, president of DeVry University.
The best-selling books are designed to help girls build self-confidence by getting good at math. “Math has a lot of negative stereotypes, but it can actually be fun and incredibly empowering,” said McKellar, who partnered with DeVry to support National HerWorld Month. “Math proficiency is the gateway to a number of incredible careers that students may never have considered,” she added.
To read the full article written by Renee Valdes and featured in the Decatur-Avondale Estates Patch, please click here.
