Beauty, brains meld in these cheerleaders

Pocket protectors and pom-poms have little in common.

But Science Cheerleaders, a group of former and current NFL and NBA  cheerleaders whose high IQs match their high kicks, unites the two.

The organization was created by happy accident, when Darlene Cavalier, a former 76ers cheerleader, posted a public outreach campaign with George Mason University on her website that advocated for reopening a congressional tech office. Featuring video shorts of 76ers cheerleaders rattling off scientific facts, it drew a huge response.

“I started to hear from NFL and NBA cheerleaders with science degrees who said, ‘I want to get involved.’ I never imagined it would turn into what it turned into,” she said, which includes the site, as well as traveling performances, community service and science education and outreach events. Many members are motivated by the chance to be role models for girls, who are underrepresented in the fields of math, science and technology.

“I remember being the only girl on math team and in the science club growing up,” said Erin Donnelly, a former St. Louis Rams cheerleader who is working on her fifth degree, a doctorate in clinical psychology. “It is fantastic to be able to come forward, break down stereotypes and show cheerleaders have more than is expected or readily available on the surface.”

“We need these types of organizations so the younger generation can realize you can be cool, beautiful and still be a nerd — they’re not mutually exclusive,” said Jennifer Hill, former Tennessee Titans cheerleader and a Nissan engineer.

More than spirit

The Science Cheerleaders have many accomplished academics in their ranks.
   
A Villanova cheerleader is finding ways to use gold nanoparticles to treat pancreatic cancer.
   
A former St. Louis Rams cheerleader with a geology postdoctorate is renowned for her earthquake studies and is often interviewed as an expert.
   
Another former St. Louis Rams cheerleader attends Columbia’s medical school and is about to start her surgical rotation. She has been published in several peer-reviewed journals.

The organization has also:
   
With the National Science Foundation, the NFL and NBC Sports, co-produced an Emmy-winning educational video series about the science of NFL football.
   
Led a group of Pop Warner cheerleaders in breaking the Guinness Book of World Records’ largest cheer. It was about science.