“One of the things that I really strongly believe in is that we need to have more girls interested in math, science, and engineering. We’ve got half the population that is way underrepresented in those fields and that means that we’ve got a whole bunch of talent…not being encouraged the way they need to.”
-- President Barack Obama, February 2013
As we all know, the development of talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is critical to America’s global leadership. Introducing girls to STEM careers is not only important to America’s global brand; it also provides women with the opportunity to engage in innovation as well as, increase economic success and equality. In response to the nation’s demand, MAEOPP, the Mid-America Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MAEOPP) held its inaugural Girls in STEM Pre-College Student Leadership Conference on the campus of Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). The purpose of the conference was to foster girls’ enthusiasm for STEM careers.
From topics ranging from DNA analysis to the latest in robotics and 3-D printing, participants received STEM exposure through hands-on activities in laboratory settings. Participants also engaged in individual and group-based activities to aid in the development of critical thinking and discussion skills. Using an interactive environment, the goal of the conference was to empower and inform young women of valuable information on careers in need of talented women who have the desire to make a difference. In addition to the STEM based activities, participants from 11 states, including Texas and New York, received a campus tour with a particular focus on the medical and science facilities as well as, panel discussions with several distinguished speakers from across the country, allowing the students to see firsthand the success stories of distinguished women in STEM fields.
Here’s a glimpse of Girls in STEM:
For a compilation of the 2015 Girls in STEM Pre-College Student Leadership Conference, see below.
Kudos to MAEOPP on a job well done!