EYH Conference debunks myths about girls and science

March 21, 2011—The myth that girls are less interested in math and science than boys just got busted. More than 80 young women from New Mexico middle and high schools attended this year's Expanding Your Horizons in Math and Science™ Conference. The March 17 event gave the girls an opportunity to learn more about careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). They also got a chance to meet female Lab scientists and other women who have successful careers in STEM-related fields.

Making science fun

This year's activities, held at Bible Crossroads Church in Los Alamos, included workshops on cryptography, veterinary medicine, aviations, and dentistry. In addition, the 85 participants learned how to design patterns with mobile robots, assess water quality, and extract DNA from cheek cells.

Lorrie Bonds Lopez of Communications (BPS-COM) and Jeff Carmichael of Water Quality and RCRA (ENV-RCRA) taught "Rocketry: Newton’s Three Laws of Motion." Bonds Lopez, who also teaches rocketry to children at various Pueblo elementary schools, said the topic is fascinating at every age level. Tia Kaupilla, a student at Los Alamos Middle School, agreed, and watched the rocket she had just launched arc across the spring sky. "I've always been interested in engineering and aviation," she said, adding, "I really want to become a pilot."

This year’s keynote address, entitled "21 Years in 21 Minutes," was delivered by Midshipman 1/C Eowyn Pedicini. The young woman, who attends the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, graduates with distinction this spring with a degree in chemistry. After graduate school in nuclear engineering, she will serve on Navy submarines as one of the first female graduates to be accepted for this branch of service.

"Eowyn always knew that math and science were in her future, with a few surprising twists along the way," said her mother, EYH Chair Georgia Pedicini of High Performance Computer Systems (HPC-3).

A teachers' conference ran simultaneously with Expanding Your Horizons, where speakers gave instructors ideas for including more math and science in school curricula and lesson plans, and for exciting ways to teach science.

"I'd like to again thank everyone who volunteered their time and expertise to make this conference such a success," said Georgia Pedicini. "We couldn’t have done it without our fantastic presenters and volunteers. Special thanks go to the instructors teaching STEM-related disciplines who participated in our teachers' workshop and encouraged their female students to attend the conference."

Sharing their expertise

A number of presenters gladly donated their time, expertise, and creativity to make the event unforgettable. They are

• Harshini Mukundan of Physical Chemistry & Applied Spectroscopy (C-PCS)
• Sarah Morgan of Site Infrastructure & Programs Software (SAE-3)
• Elizabeth Hunke of Fluid Dynamics and Solid Mechanics (T-3)
• Nicole Jeffery and Marianne Francois of Computational Physics and Methods (CCS-2)
• Aimee Hungerford of Thermonuclear Applications Physics (XTD-6)
• Jennifer Macke of Theoretical Biology and Biophysics (T-6)
• Debra Wrobleski and Cindy Welch of Polymers & Coatings (MST-7)
• Jan Frigo of Space Data Systems (ISR-3)
• Susan Coulter and Jennifer Green of High Performance Computer Systems (HPC-3)
• Laura Heisch (dentist) and Gretchen Yost (veterinarian).

Making it happen

Many individuals served on this year's EYH committee. They worked tirelessly to recruit presenters, find a suitable location, and publicize the event. They are

• Georgia Pedicini of High Performance Computer Systems (HPC-3), who chaired this year's EYH Conference
• Barbara Tenorio-Grimes of the Education & Post-Doc Office (STBPO-EPDO), who chaired the 2011 teachers' conference
• Julie Bremser of International Research, Analysis & Technology Development (IAT-1)
• Wendee Brunish and Aviva Sussman of Geophysics (EES-17)
• Lisa Colletti of Actinide Analytical Chemistry (C-AAC)
• Jan Frigo of Space Data Systems (ISR-3)
• Jennifer Green of High Performance Computer Systems (HPC-3)
• Stephanie Hagelberg of HE Science and Technology (WX-7)
• Jutta Kayser of Institutes (INST-OFF)
• Sammy Jo Keie
• Donna Leschne of Human Subject Research Review Board (HSRRB)
• Emily Schultz-Fellenz of Computational Earth Science (EES-16)
• Meghan Wingate of System Integration (HPC-5).