For Women’s History Month the Liberty Science Center blog is highlighting women working in STEM at the Science Center. Our hope is that their stories will inspire young girls and women all over New Jersey to consider a career in the STEM fields.

Happy Women’s History Month, everyone! My name is Aubrey and I am one of the Animal Interpretation Associates (AIA’s) here at Liberty Science Center. The AIA’s have one of the coolest jobs here. We do public programs throughout the day with and about the animals.

Ever since I was little, my life revolved around two things – Girl Scouts and animals. I originally wanted to be a veterinarian and majored in animal science at Cook College. When I was a junior, working with the girls in my troop made me realize I wanted to change my plans and encourage a love of science and math in all kids, but specifically young girls. After focusing on Girl Scouts for a few years, a friend sent me a job posting at the Science Center for an AIA. As soon as I read the description, I realized that this was exactly what I wanted to do – combine my love of working with children and animals. The job hasn’t disappointed. My favorite program we do is the Animal Encounter. I get to bring out animals and share fun and interesting information about them with our guests. Kids get to touch many of the animals. The experience allows them to make a personal connection with nature. Hopefully, they leave a bit more aware of humanity’s position as caretakers of our planet.

Aubrey sifting through substrate during our second annual Cockroach Count.

Unfortunately, too many girls are told their whole life what they can and cannot do, and a lot of them get discouraged when they don’t excel at something. They grow up resisting the sciences because they think it’s “cool” to, and end up doing what they were told they could do rather than what they want to do. It’s disappointing to think of all the young girls that turn away from the sciences having never even given the fields a chance.

I love meeting the kid who is so excited to learn that her eyes light up and she just wants to talk about the animals for hours. I want every child to have the chance to see how awesome science and math can be. Being an AIA is the perfect job for me since I get to do what I love – share my passion for STEM with the public, and learn something new every day. I like to think it’s the perfect job for a lot of other girls out there too.

Women’s History Month blog by Aubrey Weibel. Aubrey is an Animal Interpretation Associate at the Science Center.