Girls embrace science at Dist. 211’s conference just for them

Posted February 29, 2012 11:00 pm

Submitted by District 211

More than 150 fifth- and sixth-grade girls from Districts 15 and 54 got their science on recently at the annual GEMS conference, held at James B. Conant High School.

It was the second year that District 211 has hosted a Girls Excelling in Math and Science conference, which is part of a nationwide effort to encourage girls to let their interest in the sciences shine.

The conference educates girls about careers in fields involving science and math, and introduces them to female role models from the industry as well as District 211 high schools.

Girls learn about careers in engineering, math, and science by actively participating in hands-on sessions, taught by women who work in structural design, polymers, technology, geology and mathematics. The presenters included women from the American Chemical Society, Stepan Chemistry and Northwestern University.

A separate parent program discussed how to prepare girls for these courses in high school, college and GEMS-related careers.

A team of girls works on a science project at the conference. PHOTO BY Keith Sorensen/Dist. 211

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