University programs sought to change underrepresentation of women in math and sciences early on this weekend.

More than 70 Girl Scouts from across central Iowa attended, “Girl Scouts Enjoying Math and Science” in Pearson Hall Saturday. The event was organized to inspire fourth- through sixth-graders to pursue interests in math and science, both male-dominated fields.

The Program for Women in Science and Engineering and the ISU chapter of the Society of Women Engineers and Women in Science and Engineering hosted the event.

Karen Zunkel, director of the Program for Women in Science and Engineering, said women are underrepresented in math and science.

“Women represent 20 percent of engineering degrees awarded nationally, but they represent 50 percent of the population,” she said. At Iowa State, 16 percent of engineering students are women. Collectively, women account for between 30 and 35 percent of science and engineering majors, she said.

After rolling up their sleeves, the Girl Scouts spent half an hour making recycled paper from pulp. Then they moved on to one of three other sessions, which focused on ink, sound waves and attention to detail.

Stephanie Hamilton, outreach coordinator for the Program for Women in Science and Engineering, said the activities came from Science Sleuth, a book put together by the National Science Partnership for Girl Scouts and Science Museums. The partnership aims to encourage young women to develop an interest in science.

Susie Fitzenberger, junior in chemical engineering, told the girls they should pursue interests in science, math and engineering.

“There aren’t many females in your class, but it’s something you get used to,” she said. “It’s how it’s going to be in the work force.”

Fitzenberger, volunteer from the Society of Women Engineers, said if the Girl Scouts had fun and learned something, “we’ve done something good today.”

Haley Davis, Ashley Morris, Kaci McCleary and Tricia Stone, sixth-graders from Troop 641 in Newton, said they enjoyed the hands-on activities.

“You got to get messy,” Davis said.

And they were.

“My hands were just black,” Stone said.

The girls said they are not sure which careers they will pursue in the future. Stone said she might be a teacher and Morris said she wants to be a doctor.

McCleary said she wants to be an actress, a computer engineer or a scientist. She said the Girl Scouts Enjoying Math and Science program did not help her decide one way or the other.

“Not yet,” McCleary said. “But it was fun.”