More than 325 middle school girls from across the tri-state area gathered at UW-Platteville on Feb. 26 and March 26 to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Alliant Energy Pioneering Your Future in STEM is coordinated by faculty, staff and students from the Women in Engineering, Mathematics and Science Program in the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science and the College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture. Amanda Trewin, chair of the biology department and Nadia Sifri, biology advisor, are co-chairs on the PYF Committee along with Kim Sargent, Women in EMS Program Manager. The event was open to girls in fifth through eighth grade.
“It’s a fun-filled day where they get to learn about STEM and do different activities,” said Women in EMS Program Coordinator Kim Sargent. The girls are divided into groups with students from other schools and participate in hands-on activities that involve critical thinking, experimenting and using problem solving skills.
“One activity is called stable structures where the girls use spaghetti, marshmallows and other things to build a structure that will hold pennies. They do that in their teams and then they go to three different sessions throughout the day,” said Sargent.
According to Sargent, it’s important to introduce these girls to STEM fields at an early age. “In middle school girls start losing interest in math and science. They start thinking it’s for boys. Our goal is to keep them interested and show them what STEM is all about.” More than 50 student volunteers along with faculty and staff presenters, with the majority being women, work with the girls throughout the day.
“Role modeling is very important. Seeing other women in STEM helps the girls stay interested. Doing it in the atmosphere where it is just girls is a good opportunity for them to take the lead in a group and build confidence in STEM,” said Sargent. “Sometimes the girls take the back seat when they are doing group activities and this gives them a chance to be with other girls and do STEM related projects.”
For many of the girls it’s their first time being on a college campus. “Every school at the end of the day gets together for a big group picture in front of the Platteville backdrop and that’s so exciting,” said Sargent. “We also do a photo booth where they can dress up in hard-hats, lab coats, all STEM props and gear and hold signs. They have those mementos so when they are looking at colleges they can look back and remember the workshop they did at UW-Platteville years ago.”
As the event continues to grow each year the goal remains the same. “I want them to have a better understanding of different STEM fields and STEM majors available at UW-Platteville. I want them to realize their options and what’s out there,” said Sargent.