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Science with Sophie: Science Comedy for Girls

A science comedy show encouraging girls to think deeply, ask creatively, and be scientists every day

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Science with Sophie: Science Comedy for Girls

Science with Sophie: Science Comedy for Girls

Science with Sophie: Science Comedy for Girls

Science with Sophie: Science Comedy for Girls

Science with Sophie: Science Comedy for Girls

A science comedy show encouraging girls to think deeply, ask creatively, and be scientists every day

A science comedy show encouraging girls to think deeply, ask creatively, and be scientists every day

A science comedy show encouraging girls to think deeply, ask creatively, and be scientists every day

A science comedy show encouraging girls to think deeply, ask creatively, and be scientists every day

Sophie Shrand
Sophie Shrand
Sophie Shrand
Sophie Shrand
2 Campaigns |
Chicago, United States
$45,000 USD 678 backers
45% of $100,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Highlights
Mountain Filled 2 Projects Mountain Filled 2 Projects
Overview
Science with Sophie, a science comedy show for girls ages 7 to 14, is a smart, quirky series that reminds girls they are smart, curious, funny, brave scientists every day. Sophie Science, a scientist/educator/comedian, is your host, and her wacky characters will educate and entertain girls while showcasing how diverse STEM careers can be.

Think Bill Nye, but a lady.

It’s time we gave girls a female science role model in mainstream science media.

Hi, I’m Sophie. I am a science educator, actor, comedian, and general goofball. I hold degrees in Behavioral Neuroscience and Theatre, and have spent about half of my life blending the two fields. I’ve worked in research labs, clinical research hospitals, autism spectrum integrated classrooms, and some of the best science museums in the country (looking at you, Museum of Science, Boston, and Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago). As a performer, I’ve played on stages and screens in Chicago and Boston, including the Second City Training Center’s Musical House Ensemble.

Now I’ve combined these fields to create Science with Sophie, a science comedy show for girls.

 

Working in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), there’s a clear problem: We don’t have enough women. The National Science Foundation reports that women make up only 30% of STEM professionals in the United States.

Not only is this true in the lab, the hospital, or the science museum, it’s reflected in the media we watch every day. I’ve noticed it since I was a child, and it hasn’t changed. If I notice it, other women and girls notice too.

When I was growing up, I had some really stellar children’s programming to enjoy and learn from. The problem: the hosts of these science shows were all men. The closest thing I had to a female role model in science was Miss Frizzle from The Magic School Bus, and she was a cartoon.

 

It’s been more than two decades since the wonderful show Bill Nye the Science Guy first aired. In over twenty years of stellar educational television, we have yet to see a strong female science role model with substantial reach. Together, we can change that.

Science with Sophie is my solution to this serious problem. It’s a fun, fast-paced, upbeat science show that uses comedy and a female host to inspire girls to do science every day.

A little more about the show

Sophie Science hosts the series. She is bright, fun, and ready for anything. The audience will join her on adventures around the city, showing girls that there is science all around them; whether they’re on a street, in a park, at home, or on a bus, science is everywhere! Together, Sophie and the girls watching do experiments that use materials found around the house, so anyone and everyone can try something new. Episodes include experiments, recurring segments, different genres, songs, behind-the-scenes peeks at cool science jobs, and more!

Along the way, we meet Sophie’s wacky cast of characters: a super-buff water molecule, a skeptical microscope, a loving Mother Earth, and a rapping brain, to name a few. The whole gang will encourage girls that they can be anything they want to be.

Sophie Science also interviews experts in all kinds of surprising science careers. The show highlights how diverse STEM careers can be: the jobs, and the incredible women doing them. Science with Sophie also features field-report-style interviews with kids about all kinds of science topics. It’s a fast-paced, fun-filled, joyful exploration of the world around us, with every discovery leading to a new question, a new idea, and a new episode.

The Creative Team

The all-female writing team is comprised of scientists, educators, child development specialists, and comedians. The team spans Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Boston and Alaska.

We have a talented crew ready to go: a production company, musicians, sets, designers and more. Now we need YOU!

Funding the Fun

Our immediate goal is to raise enough money to get this series off the ground. One year of funding will support the show’s pilot season and help get Science With Sophie in front of girls across the country.

Here are some of the things we need money for:

  • Equipment  rentals
  • Locations and sets
  • Transportation
  • Travel costs to interview STEM experts
  • Lighting
  • Sound
  • Props and wardrobe
  • Insurance and legal
  • Pre-production
  • Actually filming the episodes
  • Stipends for the writing team and crew - it’s important to pay artists for their work!
  • Food for hungry staff during 12-hour shoots
  • Post-production

But the show is just the beginning. With enough support, Science with Sophie can expand to curriculum development, after-school programs, online resources, and so much more.

“When can I see the show?”

Early 2017! Stay tuned for channel/internet release updates.

Material Science (...the perks)

We're excited about all the perks offered, but I want to call out a few:

Want a personalized science song, or an answer to a science question you’ve always had? Get them made-to-order by Sophie Science! I, Sophie, will write you (or a kid you know) a mini song about a science topic of your choice, or make a customized video just for you.

I work at the largest science center in the Western Hemisphere: the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Illinois. You and five guests can explore the over 14 acres of exhibits and get a behind-the-scenes tour with Sophie Science.

Science with Sophie is all about showcasing amazing women. We commissioned a campaign-exclusive poster from registered nurse and artist Bridget Maley. The poster features a quote from the show and looks stunning on any wall.

Even More Evidence

Educational television has the power to create memories, foster relationships, inspire, and set examples for millions of people across the globe. I want to use that scope to show girls people who look and sound like them, and ignite their internal fire to become the future female scientists we need.

Girls are naturally curious, inquisitive, brave, and thoughtful. Science With Sophie is designed to remind them that they are all of those things, even when they might hear otherwise. Girls are everything they need to be, and they are scientists.

Exposure to scientific thought and engineering practices can help girls be more responsible and productive global citizens, no matter what career path they choose. How would the world be different if politicians solved problems like engineers? How would society change if businesses thought like scientists? How would a girl be inspired if she saw a smart, strong, fun woman doing science on TV?

Let's Make It Happen

The time is now, the place is here, the support is you.  Every donation helps make Science with Sophie a reality. Let’s give today’s girls a platform to flourish as tomorrow’s scientists, engineers, and world changers.

Check out the perks to find the one that’s right for you. If you aren’t able to contribute dollars, you can help tremendously by sharing this page with your own network! Spread the word on Facebook, Instagram, email, with actual face-to-face conversations, through sidewalk chalk… feel free to get creative, scientist. Thank you!

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Choose your Perk

featured

Exclusive Art Print Poster

$75 USD
Put the A in STEAM (STEM + Art!) with this campaign-exclusive art print poster featuring a quote from the show, created by registered nurse and artist Bridget Maley.
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
15 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Thank you!

$1 USD
You're a luminous sphere of plasma held together by its own gravity! (aka a "star")
4 claimed

Digital Thank-You Card

$5 USD
Thank you! DYK (Did You Know): The “Betsy Ross of Personal computers” on the interface side is named Susan Kare, and she helped bring Apple’s computer to life.
31 claimed

Social Media Shout Out

$10 USD
Thank you from the bottom of our tweets and posts! Send us your twitter or Facebook name and we'll shout our thanks to you on our various media. We are social animals, after all.
23 claimed

Science with Sophie Postcard

$30 USD
A campaign-exclusive Science with Sophie postcard sent to you through real-life mail! DYK: Graphology is the study of physical characteristics and patterns in handwriting, but is largely considered a pseudoscience.
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
97 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Original Song Download

$50 USD
Get a download of an original song from the show. DYK: A 2014 study found that "chill-inducing" music made a listener extra generous. So play some powerful tunes and support girls in STEM!
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
32 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Science with Sophie Swag

$100 USD
Show off your STEM love with the poster, the postcard, and the song download. Makes a great gift for any STEM-supporter in your life!
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
29 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Premier Party Invite

$125 USD
Premiere party invite for the 2017 series launch (airfare/lodging not included). Party like it’s 1999, because Y2K didn’t happen so you know you’ll be fine.
7 out of 20 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

All the Swag for the Party

$150 USD
All the swag and all the party. You get the poster, postcard, song download, and a premiere party invite so you can show off your loot.
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
17 out of 40 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Personal Science Song

$200 USD
Sophie sings or raps you (or a friend) a personalized mini science song. Make it your voice mail, your party jam, your radio wave to send to space so alien life in the Kuiper belt knows we can rhyme.
Estimated Shipping
January 2017
5 out of 20 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Ask Sophie a Science Question

$250 USD
Ask Sophie a science question and she’ll make you a personal video with the answer.
Estimated Shipping
January 2017
1 out of 20 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Super Fan Pack

$500 USD
Welcome to the Fan Club! You get the postcard, song download, poster, personalized song or rap, custom science question video, AND the premiere party invite!
Estimated Shipping
January 2017
1 out of 30 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Chicago MSI Tour with Sophie

$750 USD
Sophie works at one of the best science museums in the country: The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Get a personal 90-minute behind-the-scenes tour with Sophie for a group up to 6 people. Chicagoans, take advantage of this! (airfare/lodging not included, ticket price included) Great for birthday parties!
0 out of 10 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Co-Producer Credit

$1,000 USD
Add this to your IMDB page; You're a co-producer! You get all of the above items, plus our eternal thank you for doing something so awesome. You'll have the postcard, song download, poster, personalized song or, custom video, premiere party invite, a tour of MSI if you want it, and the knowledge that you're a CATALYST for getting this show to girls everywhere.
6 out of 10 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Producer Credit

$5,000 USD
Bialystock, Bloom and You! You're a Producer now. You get all of the above, plus a meal with Sophie at a fancy Chicago restaurant (Travel for two included, lodging not included). Also, thank you. You're amazing. DYK: Gerty Cori won a Nobel Prize for her discovery that the human body breaks down glycogen to use as energy. That's really important. So are you.
1 out of 10 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Sponsor

$10,000 USD
You get everything above, and we’ll be in touch to help you find the science in your community or company and feature it on the show! Thank you x 10^4. DYK: Ada Yonath won a Nobel Prize for her research on ribosomes, which synthesize proteins in cells. That's super important. So are you.
0 out of 10 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

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