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On Nov. 21 the Rhode Island STEM Center at ΢��Ȧ hosted the fourth annual STEM in the Middle workshop and career expo for girls. This event, organized by the Tech Collective, is designed to engage middle school girls in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities.

According to Tech Collective Manager of Youth and Education Programs JoAnn Johnson, middle-school age is commonly a turning point in the lives of many adolescents; at that age they may feel pressure to fit in with peers along with the pressure of educational demands.

“Students – particularly girls – can shy away from STEM due to gender stereotypes or a lack of awareness and perceived opportunities,” said Johnson. “STEM in the Middle strives to erase these barriers by raising awareness and increasing opportunities for and participation of young women in the sciences.”

This year the expo drew 125 girls from four middle schools: Sophia Academy in Providence, Ponaganset Middle School in Foster-Glocester, Times2 STEM Academy in Providence and the Dr. Earl F. Calcutt Middle School in Central Falls.

Their day began with breakfast and brief introductions by Johnson, Director of the Rhode Island Stem Center at ΢��Ȧ Carol Giuriceo and ΢��Ȧ biochemistry major Lisbeth Avalos. Avalos was recently invited to join U.S. President Barack Obama at a roundtable discussion at ΢��Ȧ that focused on women in STEM fields. In her remarks at STEM in the Middle, Avalos shared her excitement about the sciences. As a research lab assistant for Professor of Physical Science Karen Almeida, Avalos credits Almeida for introducing her to the exciting world of research.

“Right now, we’re studying a protein called the NAD+ Salvage Pathway,” she said. “NAD is essential to many biological processes in the body and repairs molecules. It might provide the answer to curing cancer. I can’t help but dream about a Nobel Prize some day.”

The girls at the expo also expressed excitement as they discovered previously unexplored fields of science.

Throughout the day, they participated in three out of 12 hands-on, interactive workshops that covered such topics as environmental science, engineering, electronics, robotics, biotechnology, digital media and programming, STEAM, biology, physics, technology and oceanography.

Workshop facilitators included educators, such as ΢��Ȧ Assistant Professor of Biology Breea Govenar and ΢��Ȧ Professor of Educational Studies Charles McLaughlin, and industry representatives from companies such as Amgen (a multinational biopharmaceutical company), Dassault Systemés Simulia Corporation (a computer software/engineering firm), the Rhode Island Museum of Science and Art, the U.S. Navy, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center and the Warwick Sewer Authority.

By noontime, workshop participants regrouped to participate in a brainstorming exercise in which they were asked to come up with ideas about what Providence might look like in 50 years, particularly its transportation system, schools, homes, food production, health care, communication and water supply.   

“Through the use of problem solving and critical thinking, the girls learn essential STEM skills that increase their understanding of the world,” said Giuriceo. “The excitement and confidence they display when engaged in STEM is wonderful to see.”

The Rhode Island STEM Center at ΢��Ȧ facilitates state-of-the-art professional development, research and collaborative partnerships among pre-K college educators, teacher candidates, students and other community stakeholders to advance STEM education and literacy.

The Tech Collective unites industry, government and academic stakeholders to inspire, engage, educate and employ a high-skill, high-wage knowledge economy in Rhode Island.