Saturday, April 13th, 2013, Youngstown State University College of STEM held the 16th Annual Edward W. Powers Women in Science and Engineering Career workshop. The workshop, coordinated by Dr. Diana Fagan, professor of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, exposes young ladies to different careers within STEM.
This year, there were approximately ninety girls and around fifty volunteers that attended WISE. These girls ranged in age from middle school to highschool and were from all over northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania.
These ladies are shown science and engineering through speakers and panelists, as well as tours of the labs throughout the STEM College.
“Many young ladies do not possess to be able to know girls that are employed STEM careers; additionally, the careers are sometimes misrepresented and misunderstood. It’s hoped that within the Career day, the kids can observe the people behind the careers and then imagine themselves in those careers,” Dr. Fagan said. “I hope the fact that career day will spark a desire for careers they won’t previously considered and encourage them to start investigating those careers.”
WISE started sixteen in years past, when Dr. Fagan and Dr. Courtney Willis partnered with Women’s Studies to build up every day, in line with the Tri County Vocational school, that will allow students to not only tour the university, but try different careers. The 2010 keynote speaker was Dr. Katie Glass, Senior Scientist for Proctor and Gamble. Among the 2010 panelists were a veterinarian, an industrial engineer, in addition to a planetarium instructor.
Throughout the time, the girls toured the various labs while in the STEM College. The girls were able to purify DNA, do computer modeling, make engines, plus more.
The event started with one small set of contacts with the Tri County Vocational school. Now, The majority of the speakers and panelist originate from local and nonlocal companies, in addition to friends of previous panelists.
