In elementary school, other girls told me that becoming an astronaut was "for boys." So when I was 11 (in 2002), I founded Astrotots Science Camp for Little Dippers. I was determined to make sure other girls had exposure to the fun side of science. AstroTots provides activities girls enjoy, like theme-related arts and crafts and also introduces them to the excitement of experiments and some of the scientific "whys" behind things we know about our universe. Our camps focus mostly on "at risk" girls because I feel like a good science education can be a ticket out of poverty for them. This project has spread from my small town in Utah all across the US and even internationally. Supported by grants and donations, thousands of girls have learned that science is COOL.

It was such an amazing thrill to be selected as Yahoo!’s Young Pioneer of Purple. As part of their Start Wearing Purple campaign, the Young Pioneer of Purple program recognizes young people who are making a significantly positive impact on the world. To help me take Astrotots one step further, Yahoo! is giving my nonprofit a $10,000 grant. This just blows us away!

Yahoo! also flew my team to San Francisco to host a science camp for local elementary school students at the incredible new California Academy of Sciences. Yahoo! hosted kindergarteners and 4th and 5th graders to be a part of my science camp. We started off with a tour of the 4-story rain forest and underground aquarium. Then, my team members and I set up a few hands-on activity stations where students made rubber band rockets, Play-Doh Martian landscapes, and Styrofoam ball planets. Working with these bright, engaged kids was so much fun. I had to smile because many told me afterwards that they wanted to become scientists. That means we're doing our job.

I hope that featuring AstroTots on Yahoo! will show other young people that we really do have the power to change the world. I want youth to know that sometimes all it takes to make a difference in your community is to be the person who is willing to try. You DO have something to offer, go make it happen!

Editor’s Note: We are looking for more Young Pioneers of Purple to feature on our Start Wearing Purple site, so if you know someone aged 13-21 who’s is changing the world, nominate them now.

Becca Robison
Founder, Astrotots Science Camp for Little Dippers
Layton High School Junior, Layton, Utah