We can’t get enough of the Google girls!
It’s no secret that the Google girls were among everyone’s favorite speakers during last month’s incredible TEDxWomen line-up. They were fascinating, humble, and most of all, audacious in their pursuit of answers about big, scientific questions. If only all of us had that kind of earnest confidence when approaching the world!
We are thrilled to share a series of Q&As with you this week, one from each of the girls, just as their talks go live at TED.com and Google makes a big announcement about this year’s science fair—the event that launched these three into the spotlight in the first place.
So without further ado, here’s Lauren Hodge, a 13-year-old sophomore honors student at Dallastown High School in Dallastown, Pennsylvania:
What was the most memorable moment of your TEDxWomen experience?
I had two. The first was when Shree, Naomi, and I were hanging out and noticed Lisa Ling. We got excited and were going to ask for her photo. She came over to us before we had the chance, and asked us for a photo! I really felt like a “Science Rock Star” at that moment.
The other was hearing Ivy and Shayna (the former gang members) speak. It made me realize that sometimes it isn’t the achievements that define us, but it is obstacles to overcome. I have had many opportunites because of Google, but I almost felt guilty about it after hearing these girls. I am very fortunate to have had the parental support I have had. My mom had a difficult childhood, and hearing the girls speak made me appreciate what my mom has done for me.
How do you think we can get more girls involved in the sciences?
Recently, LEGO put out a new series aimed at grabbing girls attention (it is very feminine). It is funny, because I am actually attracted to the regular LEGOs and this line kind of turned me off. I am not sure why I mention it, except I realized that if LEGO reached a larger audience by doing this, and maybe reaching some girls they hadn’t reached before, then that is awesome! This is a difficult question for me because I have always been into science—I guess I am not a typical girl. I do think girls are inherently more relational, which is why all three of our projects had to do more with people, and less with, say engineering. (I give credit to Lisa Jackson for noticing that!)
If you could meet one scientist, living or dead, and ask them one question, what would it be and why?
I think I would want to talk to Einstein, for a few reasons. First, I would really like to know what he would come up with in today’s technology. Second, I would love to talk to him about math. He said he struggled with math–hard to imagine. Third, I would just want to see his desk. My mom gets on my case about organization, cleaning my room, and handing in homework. Believe it or not, I forget many things!
To be continued…
