The ladies had been a little bit shy for his or her interviews. Luci Thompson, Logan Mosley and Saloni Patel have been mates since fourth grade and now they’re starring in an episode of a TV present. They didn’t appear accustomed to the applause they obtained from the viewers. They’re only a group of mates who love science.

The Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park held a screening Friday of the PBS Children TV present “SciGirls,” a program which seeks to encourage younger ladies to pursue careers in STEM fields, or science, know-how, arithmetic and engineering. The “SciGirls” episode was shot on the Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park and options the ladies aiding park scientists in monitoring water high quality.

The episode, titled “Dragonfly Detectives,” noticed the ladies catching dragonfly larvae, generally known as nymphs, beneath the water of Lake Michigan in an effort to use them to measure mercury ranges within the lake.

“What’s nice in regards to the present is that it’s for ladies,” Luci mentioned. “It’s good for encouraging girls in STEM.”

Luci Robertson, from left, Logan Mosley, and Saloni Patel, who had been lately featured within the PBS present “Sci Ladies”, signal autographs after a screening of their episode on the Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park Customer Heart on Friday, June 2, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Put up-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Put up-Tribune)

Desi Robertson-Thompson, an entomologist on the dunes and mom to Luci, appeared in this system to help in catching dragonfly nymphs.

She defined that dragonflies are predators that eat smaller bugs, which eat issues like algae within the lake containing the mercury the scientists wish to measure. Mercury is of course occurring, however Robertson-Thompson mentioned most of it most likely will get within the lake from the heavy trade within the space.

An excessive amount of mercury within the lake could cause important well being issues to individuals and animals who dwell round it, however Robertson-Thompson mentioned ranges within the lake aren’t too excessive and have been declining.

The ladies’ participation in this system not solely serves to encourage extra younger ladies to interact in STEM, but in addition promotes “citizen science,” the thought of individuals getting concerned with the science throughout them. Robertson-Thompson mentioned the beauty of an episode on the dunes was its promotion of a park close to an city space.

Logan Mosley, from left, Saloni Patel, and Luci Robertson stand to be acknowledged throughout a screening of a “SciGirls” episode they had been lately featured in on the Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park Customer Heart on Friday, June 2, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Put up-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Put up-Tribune)

Shania McDonald is an interpretive park ranger on the nationwide park and appeared within the present alongside the ladies. An interpretive park ranger does a wide range of issues, like explaining park assets to guests or guiding them on hikes, amongst different issues.

On the present McDonald is seen instructing the ladies to kayak and assists them in catching dragonfly nymphs.

“It was a extremely constructive expertise [being involved with the show],” McDonald mentioned. “We get to speak about science and make it accessible to everybody.”

McDonald mentioned the youngsters had been “troopers” when the present was filmed final summer season. The then-12-year-olds had been obtainable eight to 12 hours a day for seven days within the grueling summer season warmth for shoots and reshoots of the 28-minute program, the latter of which the youngsters mentioned was the toughest half.

Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park ranger Desi Robertson speaks after a screening of the PBS present “SciGirls” on the Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park Customer Heart on Friday, June 2, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Put up-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Put up-Tribune)

“They’re an incredible group of children,” McDonald mentioned. “They usually’re nice ambassadors for citizen science.”

Luci, Logan and Saloni all hope to enter science-related careers after they develop up and so they mentioned they appreciated attending to do citizen science with the scientists on the park, which Saloni mentioned is a “particular place.” The opposite ladies agreed, and hope extra individuals will become involved in citizen science.

“As quickly as you step in there, you’re doing science,” Logan mentioned. “Science is for everybody.”

Outgoing Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park superintedent Paul Labovitz speaks earlier than a screening of a “SciGirls” episode that includes the park on Friday, June 2, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Put up-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/Put up-Tribune)

Jared Quigg is a contract reporter for the Put up-Tribune.