Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville recently held the Pioneering Your Future conference. The event was held in conjunction with Science and Technology Day, also known as Girl Scout Day. The Pioneering Your Future program is designed to develop an increased awareness for young women in grades seven through nine about careers in the fields of mathematics, science and technology.

Previously, the Continuing Education Department sponsored the program; the program was grandfathered into the Advising and Career Exploration Services Office (ACES) about five years ago. "The women who organize this program volunteer their lunch hours to fund raise, program and market the Pioneering Your Future Conference. During the conference, the goal is to expose girls and young women to careers they might not consider because of misperceptions about those careers. In addition, our goal is to provide role models for all ages of girls and young women who are participating," commented committee member, Tammy Salmon-Stephens.

Program funding comes from various UWP student organizations, key UWP offices such as the UWP Foundation; Business, Industry, Life, Science and Agriculture dean's office; UWP Women in Engineering Program; and Alumni Association.

Community organizations such as the Thrift Shop and Jaycees, as well as individuals who support the program goals contribute funds. Many other departmental offices on campus provide presenters, door prizes, and student support necessary to facilitate the program.

"Pioneering your Future was a great opportunity for girls to look at career opportunities that they would not typically associate themselves with. By showing the girls that these career opportunities are available we hope that they will further advance themselves in Science and Technology," commented UWP student Elizabeth Eck.

The conference had four hands-on career sessions in the areas of chemistry, criminalistics, electronic and robotic engineering, marine biology, nutrition, TV production, and veterinary science. Dr. Jackie Kieler, of Platteville's Veterinary Clinic, performed a feline ovarohysterectomy, or spayed a cat, during her tutorial on "Animal ER."

Salmon-Stephens comments on her own experience in the science field, "Opportunities to learn more about non-traditional careers for women are critical because of declining interests in engineering and other technical fields in the United States. I grew up in Southwest Wisconsin and know first-hand how important a conference of this nature is to girls and young women in our area. If it were not for some gentle suggestions by one of my teachers, I would have never considered engineering as a degree. This type of advocacy by teachers, parents and others in our region provides our regional community with information about opportunities for women in technical areas."

This year Science and Technology Day partnered with the Girl Scouts of America and held an adjoining Girl Scout Day accompanied with badge-development activities. Brownies and Junior Girl Scouts attended different hands-on sessions facilitated by student organizations and campus departments. These sessions covered topics such as auto safety, biology, chemistry, criminal justice, horticulture, industrial engineering and physics. The Alchemist Club held a clue mystery, where they used lemon juice and heat to make invisible ink; and the Criminal Justice Club performed fingerprinting.

"This event is beneficial for the Girl Scouts because it shows adolescent girls science and math are fun and something that they can do. The girls also benefit by associating with the UWP student groups. They can see a number of college students in these areas who are women," said Barbara Barnet, UWP professor of mathematics and Girl Scout coordinator.

Many UWP faculty, staff and students volunteered at the event. For more information about Science and Technology Day, contact Helen Reynolds at (608) 342-1906.

Contact: Helen Reynolds, coordinator, Advising and Career Exploration Services, (608) 342- 1906, eynoldsh@uwplatt.edu Prepared By: Lisa D. McLean, Error! Contact not defined., (608) 342-1194,mcleanl@uwplatt.edu