Girls Explore Careers at Annual "Women in Science" Conference
City event gives girls plenty of reasons to study science
MEDIA CONTACT: Sarah Hesshaus
Communications Manager
shesshaus@ecotarium.org
(508)929-2738
February 13, 2008
(WORCESTER, Mass.) -- From zoo keepers and astronomers to marine biologists and chemical engineers, science plays a major role in many cutting-edge career fields. Yet, even though women constitute 35% of the workforce in the U.S., they hold just 15% of science and engineering jobs in business and industry, according to the Council on Competitiveness.
This year, more than 100 seventh and eighth grade girls from Worcester's middle schools will spend the day exploring careers with a scientific base at the 2008 Women in Science Conference on Saturday, April 5 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The conference, a joint project between the EcoTarium and the University of Massachusetts Medical School, is designed to offer girls real-life role models and inspiration for pursuing their interests in the sciences.
Upon arrival at the EcoTarium at 9 a.m., the girls will participate in three science-based workshops hosted by women in a specific science field. Each workshop includes hands-on activities and the opportunity to meet dynamic women who have turned their love of science into successful careers. At 11:30 a.m. the girls will take a bus over to the University of Massachusetts Medical School for a luncheon and a keynote address by Dr. Yvonne Spicer, Vice President for Advocacy and Educational Partnerships at the National Center for Technological Literacy K-12 at Boston’s Museum of Science. Dr. Spicer is dedicated to reaching young people and getting them excited about science and engineering. The day will come to a close with a group activity in which the girls will showcase what they learned at the conference, creating something to take back and present at their respective middle schools.
Presenters for this year's event include women from the State Police Crime Laboratory, Intel, University of Massachusetts Medical School, The Wright Center for Science Education at Tufts University, WPI, the EcoTarium and middle school teachers as well as college professors. The snow date for the conference is Saturday, April 12 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
This event is not open to the general public. Media interested in attending the conference should contact Sarah Hesshaus before 5 p.m. on Friday, April 4.
EcoTarium, A Museum of Science & Nature, offers three floors of interactive exhibits, wildlife habitats, interpretive nature trails, Massachusetts' only digital planetarium, and a narrow-gauge railroad. The museum, located at 222 Harrington Way in Worcester, Mass., is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 12 to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors, college students and children ages 3-18. Parking is free. For information, visit www.ecotarium.org, call (508) 929-2700 or email info@ecotarium.org.
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