Darlene Cavalier

Who is Darlene Cavalier?

Darlene Cavalier is an advocate for public participation in science and science policy, a writer, and an entrepreneur. She is the founder of Science Cheerleader, an organization of more than 275 current and former NFL and NBA cheerleaders pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and math. They playfully challenge stereotypes, inspire young women to consider STEM careers, and help people from all walks of life get involved in science. The organization plays on her former position as a cheerleader for the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team. She is also the founder of SciStarter, an online citizen science hotspot that connects people Citizen science projects around the world, and a cofounder of ECAST along with the Boston Museum of Science, Arizona State University, the Loka Institute and the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars.

She is currently a senior advisor and contributor to Discover Magazine. She served on the steering committee of Science Debate 2008, an organization that in 2008 got Senators McCain and Obama to debate the "Top 14 Science Questions Facing America," and made more than 800 million media impressions.