Today The Kolter Group hosted the Materials Girls in a tour of their apartment building construction site in Boynton Beach, FL. They walked us through the site, showing us the plans for the future of the building. Most importantly they talked about the materials necessary for the build, highlighting their main material: concrete.
East Coast vs. West Coast
On Florida’s east and west coasts, apartment construction reflects climate demands. Along the east coast, where hurricanes and high winds pose greater risks, concrete blocks and reinforced concrete structures are far more common because they provide strength, durability, and resistance to storm damage. In contrast, many west coast developments (particularly smaller, low-rise apartments) often rely on wood framing, which is less costly and quicker to build but more vulnerable to moisture, termites, and wind.
Florida’s east and west coasts experience different wind patterns that influence building design. On the east coast, strong Atlantic trade winds and frequent exposure to tropical storms and hurricanes bring higher wind speeds, so apartment buildings are often constructed with reinforced concrete to withstand the pressure and flying debris. The west coast, facing the calmer Gulf of Mexico, generally experiences lighter winds and fewer direct hurricane impacts, allowing more developments to use wood framing. These regional wind differences explain why concrete is mainly used on the east coast while wood structures remain more common on the west.
Part of my goal for Materials Girls was to act as the mentor for these young girls that I have found in other women before me. Women have continuously been influential forces in science and discovery. Today, I wanted to highlight some of the most impressive scientists who have led us to what we know about the world today and our rights in the world of innovation.
Sally Ride was the first American woman in space, making history aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1983. A physicist as well as an astronaut, she flew on two missions and became a powerful role model for women in science. After her NASA career, she founded Sally Ride Science to inspire young students, especially girls, to pursue STEM fields.
Mae Jemison became the first African American woman in space when she flew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992. Trained as both a physician and an engineer, she combined her expertise in medicine and technology during her career. Since then, she has worked to promote STEM education, sustainable development, and innovation in science.
Katherine Johnson was a groundbreaking NASA mathematician whose calculations were essential to the success of many early U.S. spaceflights, including John Glenn’s orbital mission in 1962. She broke through racial and gender barriers, becoming one of the key figures behind America’s space program. Her story was later highlighted in the book and film Hidden Figures.
Rosalind Franklin was a chemist and X-ray crystallographer whose precise diffraction images revealed critical details of DNA’s structure, helping to uncover the double helix. Though her contributions were not fully recognized during her lifetime (and credit was given fully to Watson and Crick, at the time), her work remains fundamental to genetics. She also made significant advances in understanding viruses and coal.
Marie Curie was a pioneering physicist and chemist who discovered the elements polonium and radium. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person ever to win in two scientific fields, Physics and Chemistry. Her research on radioactivity transformed science and laid the groundwork for medical and nuclear applications
Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman in the United States to earn a medical degree, graduating in 1849. She went on to advocate for women in medicine and co-founded a medical college for women, expanding opportunities in the field. She also promoted public health, hygiene, and preventive medicine throughout her career.
These women remind us that breaking barriers in science is about discovery and paving the way for others to follow. Their stories show the power of persistence, passion, and courage in shaping both knowledge and opportunity. Through Materials Girls, I hope to continue this legacy, encouraging young girls to see themselves in these role models, and hopefully in me.
Conlon, Anne Marie. “Mae Jemison.” New Scientist, 17 Oct. 1956, www.newscientist.com/people/mae-jemison/.
“Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell Biography | Hobart and William Smith Colleges.” Hws.edu, 17 Jan. 2024, www.hws.edu/about/history/elizabeth-blackwell/biography.aspx. Accessed 19 Sept. 2025.
“New Evidence Supports the Rosalind Franklin Phenomenon – AWIS.” AWIS, 23 May 2024, awis.org/resource/new-evidence-supports-rosalind-franklin-phenomenon/.
This post is a personal application of Materials Science in everyday life. I hope to inspire young girls to pursue careers in science, math, and engineering, specifically Materials Science, through my non-profit: Materials Girls. This was created to teach young women that they are just as capable to pursue careers in fields that are typically male dominated. We are a registered 501(c)(3) in the state of Florida and partake in various meetings and activities to instill these positive ideals in these girls. I have always been fond of the beach, as well, and have personally seen the effects trash can have on the environment. Once a month we host beach cleanups, where the trash we collect will be repurposed and created into a piece of art to give back to the community. We have also performed various experiments testing the difference in numerous materials. We had the privilege of listening to several speakers and visiting FPL. One of our speakers lives in Antigua, working as a marine biologist and repurposing the trash found in coral reefs to create jewelry. Check out Modern Tides if you get the chance!! We met another jeweler who showed us her different process of making rings, necklaces, and earrings by using different types of glass. Check out Liz Rubi Designs as well! We have also taken a field trip to the Technical Services Lab at Florida Power and Light: Next Era Energy to learn about everyday Materials Science. For more information about everything I have mentioned please make sure to check out the website: materialsgirls.org! If you want frequent updates, please follow us on Instagram: @materialsgirlsclub! I would really like to spread the word about this non-profit, Materials Girls, and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out via email or DM (on Instagram)!
