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Girl Power STEM Extravaganza organizers say event was a success |
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Sunday, 25 October 2009 |
By ELIZABETH WILLIAMS
52 Moms
On Saturday, September 19th the Sportsplex hosted a special event, The Girl Power STEM Extravaganza. This event recognized and celebrated women in the work force, particularly those women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (S.T.E.M.). These professions are still under populated by women, but those percentages are beginning to change. Helen Sue Parrish, member of American Association of University Women says, “Equity and education are important issues for young women and girls as they move into the work force. The event was sponsored by the local Starkville chapter of the American Association of University Women (A.A.U.W.) and 52M.O.M.S. Leaders of A.A.U.W. and 52M.O.M.S. invited the students of Oktibbeha County Studio School to create a local STEM Women’s Walk of Fame.
A.A.U.W. and 52M.O.M.S leaders also brought in Mississippi State University’s Day One and Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society service groups to assist with the Extravaganza. Mississippi State’s College of Education and College of Engineering have played an integral role in this event.
Studio Schools is a local educational program that uses Studio Based Learning. Studio School reaches out to students in middle school and high school who are not thriving in a typical classroom environment and are at possible risk of drop out. This program is unique to our area, and it provides students with an alternative route of education; making it possible for them to reach their full potential. It offers hands on learning where students can work and learn alongside experts. For example; Brandon Hogan, Studio School student, claims his favorite thing about Studio Schools is, “I’m not just sitting around at home anymore; I’m actually doing something.” Kay Brocato, school reform researcher states, “Studio Based Learning is a [pedagogy] teaching method that allows students to make proposals of things for real audiences, ask for critique of their work from these audiences, and continue on designing better iterations of their work.” At the Extravaganza, the Studio School students made a STEM Women’s Walk of Fame for the participants to enjoy.
Despite the heavy rains Saturday morning, The Sportsplex was buzzing with participants ranging from local families to multiple girl scout troops. Since this event featured powerful women in t he STEM work force, a part of the mission was to encourage young girls to realize they too could aspire to be in fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Sandra Woolfolk, local entomologist and troop leader of, “International Troop 653,” helped contact and register local area troops to participate in this event. The event participation reported over 150 girls and troops traveled from Webster County, Lowndes County, Batesville, and all the way up to Memphis area. As a part of this event, activities were designed so that it qualified the girls for a science badge. During the event, Sandra, states, “I am excited so many troops showed up and are able to get a badge in the area of science. This is often a difficult badge for troop leaders to address due because they may not have expertise in the area of science, and therefore, the badge is often overlooked.”
The event featured four rotating stations that provided hands on demonstrations. Mississippi State University professionals and the Public Library brought life to this event by presenting Women in STEM Literature, Wood Science Magic, Robots in the Real World, Kinesiology Means Movement Science, and A Day in the Life of a Small Animal Veterinarian.
Following the rotation of stations, girl scouts and other participants enjoyed a ceremony featuring the “STEM Women’s Walk of Fame.” Studio School students read through dozens of nominations and selected 10 women to be honored for their work in a STEM profession; honorees were Nancy Losure, Jane Lusk, Athelia Eze, Ellen McGuffy, Kim Johnson, Lakeshia Williams, Tonya Stone, Juliet Tang, Denise Taylor, and Adrienne Minerick. The students also interviewed these powerful women and worked with a university design team to make digital video and professional posters featuring each woman. Ellen McGuffy, one of the recipients, said, “I was amazed that I won an award. A little recognition in what you do professionally goes a long way. It reminds you that what you do day by day is important to other people. It was very nice to meet these students and have them come to her office.” This event is a perfect sample of how to incorporate theories of studio based learning into real life application. To close the event, Studio School students presented honorees with a colorful bouquet of flowers and a “power hammer” to symbolize the power these women hold for all girls and women.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 07 November 2009 )
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