District 211 hosts girls science conference

District 211 will host its annual Girls in Engineering, Math and Science conference for fifth- and sixth-grade girls in districts 15 and 54, and private schools with the District 211 attendance area, along with their parents.

The conference will be from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at James B. Conant High School, 700 E. Cougar Trail in Hoffman Estates.

The goal is to educate girls about careers in these fields, and introduce girls to female role models from the industry as well as working in District 211’s five high schools.

Girls will learn about careers in engineering, math and science by actively participating in hands-on sessions. These activities will be taught by women who are working in structural design, polymers, technology, geology and mathematics. Some of the presenters include women from the American Chemical Society, Stepan Chemistry and Northwestern University. Participating girls also will receive a goody bag full of STEM information.

Parents also are invited to attend the conference, as there will be a separate parent program. The purpose of the parent program is to discuss how to prepare girls for these courses in high school, college and GEMS-related careers. Parents will attend sessions that help them understand the necessary skills girls need to be successful at the high school and college level. Parents also will have an opportunity to participate in a question-and-answer session with a discussion panel.

Raffle prizes will be given away during the conference’s closing remarks. These prizes, along with goody bags for girls attending, were donated by organizations that include Sargent-Welch, Steven Spangler Science and Holt McDougal.