H/Posts & Press Releases/Erickson honored with GSEP Take the Lead Award

Erickson honored with GSEP Take the Lead Award

NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Caroline Scutt, caroline.scutt@nulldavincisciencecenter.org

ALLENTOWN, Pa — The Da Vinci Science Center is proud to announce that Lin Erickson, Executive Director and CEO, has been named a Take the Lead honoree by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania. The award recognizes women whose leadership and professional achievements have a positive impact in their community.

A lifelong Girl Scout, Erickson is a champion for programs which develop girls’ competence, confidence and leadership in science, technology, engineering, art, and math or STEAM.  Under her leadership, Girl Scout Programs have expanded at the Science Center, with increasing emphasis on badges in technology areas and helping girls see that science is for them. A recent research study on how to attract and retain women in STEM careers has provided valuable insight on how to promote programs so that they are appealing to girls. Over the years, the Science Center has worked closely with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania to expand opportunities for girls in scouting and provide resources to support volunteer leaders.

“I’ve always encouraged the Da Vinci Science Center staff to work closely with the Girl Scouts because I believe that fostering an interest in science, technology, engineering, art and math, while girls are young and keeping them engaged as they get older is extremely important,” said Erickson.

Erickson cites scouting as an important part of her youth. A scout for over nine years, she has many fond memories, from dominating cookie sales in her troop to attending her first Broadway show. Her daughter Sarah was a Girl Scout, and together they spent several weekends camping at Mosey Woods. 

“Girl scouting opens doors to new opportunities and lets girls know that they can take on challenges and be successful,” Erickson noted. Erickson is a prime example of bold leadership as she spearheads the development of a major new science center for the Lehigh Valley.

In addition to supporting current and future female professionals in the STEM fields, Erickson works to make education programs accessible to ALL students, regardless of gender. Her passion for making a difference in the lives of students and impacting her community is evident in her leadership of the Science Center’s Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Initiative. She is also committed to working in partnership with the community to champion racial equity. She leads the Science Center staff in creating a culture of diversity and inclusion, where everyone feels welcome and safe to fully participate in STEM. Erickson will be recognized at The Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania’s Virtual Gala on April 28. Tickets and sponsorship info: https://bit.ly/394Prqo

About The Da Vinci Science Center
The Da Vinci Science Center is a national award-winning non-profit science center that has been bringing science to life and lives to science for nearly three decades. Da Vinci Science Center experiences make science fun and approachable, helping to connect people of all ages and backgrounds with the wonders of science and engages more than 150,000 participants annually with its exhibits, programs, events, and partnerships. To learn more about these and other programs, visit www.davincisciencecenter.org and follow them on Facebook/Instagram/Twitter.