Some local women are smashing stereotypes one emphatic syllable and pom pom shake at a time. The Science Cheerleaders, professional NFL and NBA cheerleaders-turned-scientists, seek to promote literacy and public interest in science, as well as a sexism-banishing view of today’s cheerleaders.

The group has close roots: Darlene Cavalier, a former 76ers cheerleader and science advocate with a Master’s degree from UPenn, founded her Science Cheerleader blog in 2006 as a way to share her passion for science and combat public apathy about the subject.

There, the longtime Philly resident blogged about science policy, shared examples of citizen science projects (like observing the night sky or setting up a NestCam to view hatchlings), and along the way found others who shared her ideals: professionals who studied and worked in scientific industries and just so happened to cheer for national football or basketball teams.

Through the years, her group of Science Cheerleaders grew, and now includes brilliant and motivated women from across the country, representing at least 18 professional teams (including Eagles cheerleader Allison, who holds degrees in Biology and Chemistry). And they’re capable of way more than just high kicks and waving pom-poms. These women are also mathematicians, engineers, doctors, chemists, biologists, teachers and researchers, showing young kids everywhere that science is cool.

The Science Cheerleader last year appeared at the first-ever Philadelphia Science Festival, pairing up with NBC Sports and the National Science Foundation to produce the Emmy-winning series, The Science of NFL Football. The group recently broke the Guinness World Record for Biggest Cheerleading Cheer, packing 1,200 people into a stadium to cheer for science!

Why is this necessary? Says the blog:

Scientific innovations have produced roughly half of all economic growth in the last 50 years. We do not have enough people in the pipeline to supply a science and technology workforce capable of meeting the global, scientific challenges we will face in this century. The U.S. needs to find nontraditional approaches to tap new sources of talent. The Science Cheerleaders have demonstrated an ability to connect to groups traditionally underrepresented in science and technology fields, potentially broadening educational and workforce funnel.

For more info, head to the Science Cheerleader website for news, profiles of the 100+ members and info on upcoming events.