VIDEO: High School Girls Encouraged to Pursue Science, Tech Careers
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Local high school girls toured the Shellfish Hatchery at Roger Williams University yesterday as part of Tech Collective's 10th annual GRRL Tech expo.
The event, which drew more than 525 female high school students from across the Ocean State, is meant to encourage young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). (GRRL stands for Girls Reaching Remarkable Levels.)
"Traditional stereotypes and a lack of awareness and resources have contributed to creating the staggering statistic that only one of every four technology professionals is a woman," said Kathie Shields, executive director of the Tech Collective. "However, with the generosity of our business professionals and the RWU staff, faculty, and scholarship award, GRRL Tech aims to change that fact, providing girls with the resources, role models, and forum to learn about the STEM fields and how they apply to everyday lives and careers."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIn addition to the tour of the hatchery, students attended workshops on computer animation, cryptology, one-cell microbes, and how zebrafish help scientists understand the development of the human heart. Dr. Janet Buhlman, the director of molecular immunology at EpiVax, was the keynote speaker. The event ended with the awarding of a full-tuition scholarship to Roger Williams University to one of the students in attendance. (Watch the video here.)
"Roger Williams University stands fully committed to the future of Rhode Island," said President Ronald Champagne. "Partnering with Tech Collective to host this inspiring program and offering the full-tuition scholarship are ideal ways to express that. GRRL Tech encourages these young women to explore science and technology careers, two areas in which the University is well positioned to share its expertise. I know this event will make a lasting impact on these future leaders."
