Today I have another great guest post for you. This one is from author Irene Helenowski. Enjoy!

Why Smart Girls Love Syfy

by Irene Helenowski

I just love the title of Charlee’s blog, don’t you? “Smart girls love Syfy”. And what’s not to love? Science fiction can just as intriguing as any other fantasy genre for young women with lots of room for romance, adventure, and surprising story twists. Just as girls can learn to love vampires and werewolves, they can take fate into their own hands by enrolling in a graduate physics program and helping to develop a device leading them to travel between different dimensions. Sorry . . . shameless plug for my book 🙂

Back on topic, science fiction has often been targeted to boys but it’s about time that it also taps into the market of young, bright, insightful women. Through my good friend, Lisa, I have come across the Project Exploration organization here in Chicago and their Sisters 4 Science program which aims to promote the sciences among young girls and minorities. I also have become aware of the Scientista Foundation at Cambridge, MA, established by Julia Tartaglia and Christina Tartaglia.

So there is good news in introducing girls to the sciences at a young age, even though means of science fiction. With numerous stories out there relating to the possibilities yet to explore in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and, yes, physics, I would hope that a young lady might read something and say, “Hey, maybe I could do that or something similar.” I was fortunate enough to be introduced to the sciences through my medically oriented family, including my science teacher sister, and remember also all my science teachers, including my high school biology teacher, Mrs. Hayes, who continued to foster my interest in scientific research.

I’m very happy to hear about any girl who has chosen to enter any scientific field, whether it’s my niece, Julia, who is studying physics and environmental science her senior year of college, or a fan of my page whom I discover is also a science major. There is more that we could do, however, to encourage more young ladies to enter the sciences.

It may be time for the mainstream media to introduce some campaigns promoting the sciences even through means of science fiction to that population. Making science and science fiction cool for a new generation of girls could lead us to find the next Marie Curie, Rosalind Franklin, or Lisa Randall.

Order of the Dimensions by Irene Helenowski
When Jane Kremowski first began her graduate studies in physics at Madison State University in Wisconsin, little did she know where her work would take her. Now, she is embroiled in a multitude of dimensions all leading to different outcomes. She and her colleagues therefore must act wisely in order to take and keep away the Order of Dimension from falling into the wrong hands for the sake of her loved ones.