Sometimes I hear about a girl or three who, frankly, astounds me. They accomplish things I never thought to accomplish.

Girls cleaned house at the annual Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology this year.

According to an MSNBC article by Karen Matthews, Isha Jain, a senior at Freedom High School in Bethlehem, Pa., won the individual prize for her biology project on bone growth in zebrafish fins.

Janelle Schlossberger and Amanda Marinoff, seniors at John F. Kennedy High School in Plainview, N.Y., won the top team prize for their research into tuberculosis treatments.

Jain's research has already been published in Developmental Dynamics and said her research should lead to understanding bone growth in other vertebrates along with bone disorders in humans.

Schlossberger and Marinoff said their research could lead to more effective treatments for drug-resistant tuberculosis.

After synthesizing these drugs we need to then go back to modify them and optimize them to maximize their effectiveness, Marinoff was quoted as saying in the MSNBC article.

The scientists won $100,000 in scholarships.

You Go Girls!

Every parent can encourage their daughters to think ambitiously about technology and science by providing girls with traditionally "boy" toys. One of these winners flew off the stage into her father's arms after winning. Obviously, he encouraged her scientific ambitions.

Think Wii by Nintendo (whoever bought the Wii last week through So Sioux Me - I can't express how gratifying and validating that $20 was!), Melissa and Doug Solar System 48pc Floor , or Meade 70AZ-A Telescope and, CHEM C1000: Chemistry Experime.