ASU STEM conference provides workshops for high school girls
by April 1, 2016 3:10 pm 106 views
At least 50 high school girls in Northeast Arkansas had the opportunity Friday (April 1) to learn about arthopods, aroma therapy and making a tower using strands of spaghetti.
The program also opened the eyes of the girls to their future, an Arkansas State University official said. The university’s College of Education and Behavioral Science hosted a Celebrating Future Women Leaders in STEM conference at the Reng Student Union. Dr. Amanda Lambertus, a professor in mathematics and statistics, said the one-day event helped the young girls learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The students from Blytheville, Brookland and Jonesboro Westside spent Friday morning in 45-minute workshops learning about STEM. The students used a pessel and mortar on the aroma therapy exercise, while another group used string and red Solo cups to make a tower.
“It teaches brainstorming and teamwork,” Lambertus said of the tower exercise. A tricky part of the exercise was that the students could not use their hands or their body to move the drinking cups.
Lambertus said the exercises taught the students teamwork and design – two key components for STEM. The program, in its first year, also helped students learn about possible careers, Lambertus said.
“It is extremely important to let the girls know about the fields available,” Lambertus said, using biology as an example. “It is also important to let young women know that it is not just (a job in) research. For example, with a degree in biology, you can work at the CDC. Plus, all of our speakers are women so it is important to see women in their fields.”
The conference Friday is the brainchild of ASU Rural STEM Education Center director Dr. Julie Grady. Lambertus said Grady has worked hard to get the conference off the ground and noted the conference is a key part of the work by the Rural STEM Center.
The center, based in Jonesboro, works with math, science and computer teachers to provide instructional support for STEM classes in Baxter, Clay, Fulton, Greene, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Mississippi, Randolph, Sharp and Stone counties.