Infusium Women in Science Awards

Infusium 23, the national haircare brand steeped in science, announces the creation of the Infusium Women in Science Awards, an awards program established to encourage high school females to pursue careers in science.

In a 1997 survey conducted by Infusium 23 and targeting thousands of high school students across the country, more than one-third of those polled were still undecided as to what career track to take. Of those who had made a choice, the top three careers males listed were Computer Science (13%), Engineering (9%) and Medicine-Physician (8%). The top three career choices for females were Teaching (13%), The Arts (12%) and Medicine-Physician (11%).

Predictably, careers in the sciences continue to be dominated by males. Though more emphasis has been placed on females to consider scientific areas of study in recent years, the only career choice in the sciences in which girls showed an interest was as medical doctors, traditionally viewed as a nurturing profession.

"For more than three decades, women have played an increasingly signficant part in the American workplace," says Johnna Doyle, Manager of Research & Development at Infusium and Chairperson of the Awards Program. "But girls often need more encouragement to develop a strong interest in fields like science, where role models are generally male." Doyle was inspired to pursue her own career when she was one of only two girls to enter a science program sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America. Independent studies have also shown that when females are actually encouraged to enter these so-called "masculine preserves" of science and technology, their test scores in those areas quickly equal, and often overtake, those of boys in the same area.

To provide that encouragement, Infusium 23 will award 23 grants of $1,000 each, specifically earmarked for female high school students to use toward the pursuit of education in science - for college, summer classes, extracurricular programs, etc. The goal of the program will not only be to recognize those young women already interested in scientific fields, but also to encourage other young women to explore the many opportunities available in a field that is often overlooked by females.

To apply for these awards, open to all female high school students, an applicant should provide a statement or essay including:

• what career in science she wants to pursue and why
• extracurricular activities demonstrating career commitment
• the person(s) who has influenced her career choice

These statements should be submitted, along with the applicant's name, address, age, school grade as of April 15, 1998, and name of school, to: Infusium 23 Women n Science Awards, 40 West 57th Street, 20th floor, New York, NY 10019. Applications must be postmarked by October 15, 2000.

"Science in an endlessly intriguing field," says Doyle, who holds degrees in both Biology and Toxicology. "Infusium established these awards to bring more attention to the incredible variety of career choices in the sciences that are now being overlooked by promising young women in our society."