ESU hosts conference to encourage girls interested in math and science

Over 200 girls in grades 6-8 met on the Emporia State University campus Saturday for the 12th Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Mathematics conference.

Participants enjoyed a variety of career discussions and hands-on workshops with women professionals from scientific and mathematically based careers.

For the past 12 years, "Expanding Your Horizons" has brought middle-school girls to ESU for hands-on sessions with female scientists, mathematicians and engineers," said  Besty Yanik, ESU mathematics professor and event organizer.  Marvin Harrell is the other event organizer.

According to Yanik, the conference serves to present a positive image of professional scientists, technicians and teachers.

"How many kids get to meet a woman chemist or a woman computer scientist? These are very normal women with productive lives and families," Yanik said. "Through the discussions, young girls find out they can good life and have a good career. The passion for what these guest speakers do really come through."

Approximately 50 women across Kansas, including professionals from ESU, volunteered their time to share their careers with participants. ESU students also helped with this event.

Career discussions included: nurse practitioner, chemist, firefighter, engineering, financial planner, health inspector, nursing, medical investigator, medical doctor, veterinarian and a forensic scientist.

The girls participated in hands-on workshops from dissecting an eye, to investigating a crime scene to petting snakes. Participants also learned how to investigate chemical contaminants in drinking water.

The parents and teachers attending the conference had a separate program to assist them in learning strategies for encouraging young women in science and mathematics. Also participants heard presentations from two national speakers, one at the opening ceremony for the conference and one after the luncheon buffet.

“This is a wonderful program. I enjoyed learning more about jobs I can do that involve math and science,” said Alta Sutton, an eighth-grader at Emporia Middle School.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>