Kennedy and Barbie In The Lab #BarbieProject

Kennedy recently got a beginners chemistry lab set and decided to try it out with a few of her Barbie friends! My first 'observation' is that Ms. Kennedy is VERY inpatient in the lab!  She was like a bull in a china set when she ripped open the box and started going through all the contents. She wanted to jump in immediately and get to work.  She flipped through the experiment booklet and ran through the house grabbing items like baking soda and vinegar.  Since several of the experiments had to be supervised I grabbed my camera and pulled up a chair.  I was hoping that we would not have to call 911 as Kennedy started to dive in! She found a simple experiment involving ice, string, salt and went to work.

Instead of reading through the instructions carefully she just started sprinkling and mixing. In my mind I'm thinking: "Ummm Kennedy aren't there a few more steps involved ?" I bit my tongue and watched.  Her first experiment was a big fat flop!  Ice went flying everywhere instead of sticking to the string.  I told her that she needed to SLOW down, read the instructions thoroughly and make sure she had everything that she needed before she got started.  She agreed to slow down and let me help!!! Geez!!

I found a simple experiment that involved acids, bases and pH testing on simple household items.  We read over the definition of acids, bases and the different levels on the pH scale.  We read through all of the steps before she began this time..LOL! She was very excited to start testing out items using the kit's pH indicator strips.  It was so cool watching her try out things like lime juice, vinegar, baking soda water, tap water and bottled water. She checked the chart and determined if each item was an acid or base.  She really enjoyed it and started working on setting up her own lab/classroom with her I Can Be A Teacher Barbie doll and students. It was finally safe for me to step away to start dinner at this point. I came back to see Kennedy's official science lab and classroom.

I was amazed at how Kennedy took the time to set up the classroom and started to explain everything that we had just learned through her teacher Barbie. She showed her results during class. She even found a small water bottle in her toy box like the one she used during her experiment.  I don't know how she keeps up with all of her Barbie accessories!

Student Raising Her Hand For Questions..Too Cute!!

 

 

'Chemist Kennedy' Writing Out Her pH Test results!

 

 

 



I really loved sitting down with Kennedy and doing these fun experiments. I think that it is so important for girls to take an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).  I have always worked hard through my non-profit that empowers girls and women and with my daughters to expose them to science programs and trailblazer women and girls. When we were shopping for the chemistry set, I had to go past all the dolls and toys to find a small section of science based toys.  They are there, we just have to look!

I know there has been a lot of recent controversy with Barbie and the mixed messages that were sent in a book that was published a few years ago called Barbie I Can Be A Computer Engineer.  In the book Barbie needs the help of two male programmers to complete a computer game that she started. It definitely could send a mixed message, but what I realize especially through this project, is that we should not allow Barbie or books to shape our daughters or sons. We also should not feel that if our daughter reads a book or plays with a doll that her perception on her future will be tainted.   Kennedy has always played with Barbie dolls, and princesses but I also buy her microscopes for her to play and explore.

 At her Birthday party last December her theme was based off of Barbie's I Can Be Line of dolls which focuses on different careers and the attendees came dressed as who they wanted to be when they grew up.  I didn't stop there, I had someone come in and do a robotics demonstration with the girls and boys and at the end of the party they built their own robots.  We as parents have to realize the power we have to shape our sons and daughters!  I found this cool calendar of STEM based activities that you can try with your daughter click here! Kennedy and I have found a few that we are going to try for sure!

We would love to hear your thoughts and stories on the fun things that happen during playtime with Barbie!  Does your daughter want to be a scientist, astronaut, or computer programmer? Be sure to share your experiences and comments below or on the official Barbie Project website!

This is part of a group of posts in partnership with #BarbieProject .

All words and images are 100% organic and authentic.

Entrepreneur Barbie - #Barbie Project

Last week the Barbie Project Moms were invited to visit the Barbie Design Center in Los Angeles and meet the Barbie Team! OMG it was amazing!! We got a special behind the scenes tour of their facility and received the latest updates on our project and the new initiatives that they were launching.  I was especially thrilled to learn more about the newest campaign centered around Barbie's 150th Career: Entrepreneur Barbie!! As an mom that is building her dreams this career has a special place in my heart!

"This year Barbie is once again breaking through plastic ceilings and inspiring girls to follow their dreams. The 2014 career of the year doll is Entrepreneur Barbie. To celebrate her newest career, Barbie is honoring special women entrepreneurs to help start a conversation for girls everywhere, reminding them that — “If they can dream it, they can be it – anything is possible!"

I really love how Barbie is involving real women and girl entrepreneurs from amazing organizations like Girls Who Code, Plum Alley,  Rent The Runway, The Tom Kat Studio, Sugarfina, Genuine Insights, and One Kings Lane.  They even feature a young entrepreneur, Seraphina Botero, a Cadette Girl Scout from Santa Monica, California.  She recently won an Entrepreneur essay-writing contest for her local Council. She’s been with the organization for eight years and has been part of its Cookie Season every year.  Never too young to blaze a trail!  The amazing leaders are Chief Inspiration Officers aka CIO's who share their stories about building their careers and running their businesses! They even take Barbie with them to work!  Barbie's website also features online resources to help girls learn what it means to be an entrepreneur (click here for downloadable resources for your daughter), how to start a business and inspiration for moms like me who own their own businesses. Visit http://www.barbie.com/en-us/news-and-deals/barbie-celebrates-women-entrepreneurs to learn more about these amazing entrepreneurs!

At the end of the day we received a gift bag with our very own Entrepreneur Barbie inside.  I was so excited!! I heard about this doll earlier in the year and could not wait until they would be released to the public. You can order them online here!



 



 

So Love The Cute Accessories, Briefcase, Tablet, Smartphone!!

 

My plan was to keep her all to myself but my daughter had other plans! It was like a tug of war for her when I returned home, I definitely have to buy my own now that they are available.  I opened her up and only had about 2.5 seconds to check her out before she was snatched from my hands and whisked upstairs to my daughter's room.  I checked in with my daughter later that day and asked what business she had started.

Love The Message On The Back Of The Box!

My daughter was super excited to announce to me the launch of  "Kennedy's Space Boot Camp".  Entrepreneur Barbie owned her own business where she taught astronauts how to go to space.  Super cute! 

Entrepreneur Barbie's First Student!

Her first training class was in session. Her students were involved in rigorous training where they had to take test to see how much they knew about space.  If they passed the first test they would move on to the next level of training.  They had to go into a space simulator to see what it was like to be in space, this involved a lot of spinning and twirling. She used the Barbie jet plane from my previous post for this exercise.  A special light was shined on the students to simulate the extreme heat they would face from the sun.

Entrepreneur Barbie demonstrating how to  properly wear her space helmet for her students.

 

 

Math is important to astronauts according to Kennedy! Entrepreneur Barbie

explaining word problems. So love her imagination!

 

 



My daughter then flipped off the lights and used the cord from her headphones to put her student into space. So cool to see her doll suspended in the air. She wanted to turn on the fan, but Mommy had to step in and shut that down very quickly! Did not want Barbie and her cord getting tangled in the fan or flying through a window!

 

 



 

 

 So after passing many difficult levels, her student had finally passed all the requirements and she was cleared to go to space! 

 



Official handshake to seal the deal!!

 

I really loved seeing my daughter's ideas for her very own business. Her concept actually really blew me away.  I know there are a lot of negative opinions out there about Barbie, her proportions and her choices of clothing make parents feel that she is a bad influence.  I was one of those parents who was quick to jump on the Barbie bashing train. Throughout this project my opionions have changed as I watched what really happens during her playtime.  Seeing my daughter's initial idea to create a business around science/space I realize that it is not just about the doll or how the doll looks it is about what we are modeling, teaching and exposing them to that really matters. I go out of my way to show my daughters that girls can do anything that they put their minds to. They can be wear pink business suits and work for NASA! I saw an ad this evening that really resonated with me about our idea of what it means to be a girl in our society and that it is not just about wearing pink or being a girl.

 



 

 

My daughter proved that tonight to me. I am so excited that there are toys like this that are being offered that allow our children to explore and imagine in new ways!

 

I am curious to know what dream or businesses your daughters or sons have imagined or created! Be sure to leave a comment on our blog, social networks (facebook, twitter) or on the www.barbieproject.com website!

 

 





Barbie Project ~ Kennedy Builds An Elevator!

It's been a few weeks since my daughter and I started the Barbie Project with seven other amazing moms and daughters.  As I mentioned in my last post this has been a great opportunity for me to step outside of my typical mommy mode and get down on the floor and 'play' with my daughter.  I found myself getting busy with my normal routine again within a few days after the project started. My daughter in her room and me running around doing a million things.  The other week I was busy putting up laundry and walked by my daughter's room. Kennedy who is 10 was busy at work, taping, measuring and cutting away.  I asked her what she was doing and she told me that she was making an elevator for her Barbie's house.  She had yarn, glue, duct tape, scissors and one small cardboard box.  She was determined and on a mission!  I dropped my laundry basket and sat down and watched her work. 

She was busy measuring and talking about how they had learned about pulley systems and simple machines in school.  It was the cutest thing seeing her mind work trying to construct this elevator. 

She started out taping the string along one corner.  The yarn kept slipping and Barbie was swinging all over the place. Kennedy didn't skip a beat, she would pick Barbie up and try different strategies  I made a few tiny suggestions but let her continue to explore what worked and didn't work.  She tried over a dozen times and just kept at it.  I was so amazed to see her determination and drive, she did NOT want to give up!

We chatted some more and I told her she was a pretty cool elevator engineer/architect.  I was truly in awe at how she was using what she learned at school during her playtime. I am a BIG advocate for girls embracing STEM, science, engineering, technology and math, so this was a project after my own heart!   After several tries and Barbie getting many bumps and bruises she finally got it to work. A little wobbly but it finally worked! The joy and pride on her face lit up the whole room!  I told her that we also needed to explore how real elevators work and to imagine all that goes into designing elevators that carry real people.

I was able to capture her special moment on my phone. Please excuse my amateur video, had to capture the moment quickly!

To view Kennedy's 1st Elevator Test Run click here! 

On a side note my oldest daughter is turning 16 in a few days and I am experiencing a lot of different emotions as I learn to balance realizing that she is growing up and wants more independence.  She is learning to drive, wants to hangout with friends, and doesn't need mommy as much these days.  I realized today in writing this blog that Kennedy's years playing with toys like Barbie will soon fade away.  I am truly grateful that this project came to really help me cherish these times with my daughters as they will be on their own one day soon. Whether it's building elevators for Barbie or panicking in the passenger seat as my daughter takes the wheel I will definitely slow down from my normal fast pace mommy mode and be in the moment more.

What things have you discovered during your playtime with your daughter? To learn more about the Barbie Project and to share your experiences visit www.barbieproject.com. To follow our journey follow our blog or visit us on Facebook or Twitter. Thanks for taking the time to read about our journey! #barbieproject