March 15, 2017

 Girls-n-Science attendees

 

Participants in the 2016 Girls-n-Science enjoyed demonstrating a variety of STEM skills. 

MSUB Extended Campus announces Girls-n-Science schedule

Registration required for STEM Stars and “Imagine Your Future!” breakout sessions. Main event takes place 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., April 1 in Alterowitz Gym on the MSUB Campus

 

Contacts:

Extended Campus, Oksana Sheehan, 697-4241 or Oksana.zakharchenko@msubillings.edu

University Relations, 657-2266

 

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — Girls-n-Science (formerly known as Chicks in Science), is a free one-day extravaganza that provides hands-on, minds-on interactive activities to introduce girls in fourth through eighth grades to careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

 

Girls-N-Science participants
This year’s theme is STEM Super Powers. Attendees are encouraged to dress up like their favorite super hero, be it from Marvel, DC Comics, or even their own creation.  

 

The main Girls-n-Science event takes place from 12:30 p.m., to 4 p.m., April 1, at  Montana State University Billings’ Alterowitz Gym.

 

As a part of Girls-n-Science and introduced last year, "STEM Stars" (also a free event) provides longer hands-on opportunities for girls in seventh and eighth grades only. 

 

These 45-minute concurrent sessions (with three different female STEM professionals) will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon, on the same in the Language Arts Building at MSUB.

 

These sessions will further introduce girls to STEM-related professions in a fun and educational way. 

 

STEM Experts this year include: Shirley Greene, a science teacher from Lewis & Clark Elementary School, who will guide girls on how to help the International Space Station complete its mission;  Executive Director of the Montana Beef Council, Chaley Haney, on important meat science from the grocery store to kitchen; and engineers from CTA Architects Engineers Allyn Jorgensen and Hollie Mellgren who will wow girls with their "windy city tower challenge.”

 

Space is limited to only 60 girls and registration is mandatory. Breakfast and lunch will be provided as well as a super cool hoodie!  

 

New this year to the event is “Imagine Your Future!” during the main Girls-n-Science exhibit. Female students from MSUB, City College, Rocky Mountain College and juniors and seniors from local high schools are invited to present STEAM-related (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) science experiments and research projects during Girls-n-Sciencefrom 12:30 – 4 p.m. 

 

“Imagine Your Future!” is open to girls in fourth through eighth grades who will interact with the presenters and get the chance to vote on their favorite experiment, project or presentation. 

 

There will be four $150 prizes given out by the Girls-n-ScienceCommittee (two for college-aged students and two for high school-aged students).  Female students in high school and college must register to present during “Imagine Your Future!”by Friday, March 24 and can learn more at  https://www.msubillings.edu/girls/.  

 

Girls-n-Science strives to encourage and excite young females to pursue education in these in-demand and growing career areas and to facilitate relationships between the girls and professional women in scientific disciplines. 

 

At the main Girls-n-Science event, there will be over 40 booths at MSUB’s Alterowitz Gym with hands-on, minds-on activities.  Female STEM-related professionals will be involved with each booth giving girls one-on-one contact with important role models who are also mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and daughters with varied interests and life goals.    

 

 The jobs that our fourth graders will hold as adults likely have not been thought of yet, but industry surveys indicate that many emerging careers will require an understanding of STEM and the problem-solving, critical thinking, adaptive and collaborative skills gained through the study of these subjects. 

 

Often, psychological barriers, gender expectations, and the “coolness” factor can act as barriers to girls in the pursuit of STEM educational and career opportunities.

 

Girls-n-Science strives to abolish negative and fearful attitudes about math and science; empowering young women in both their femininity and intellect.    

 

To learn more about Girls-n-Scienceor to register for “STEM Stars,” or to participate in ”Imagine Your Future!” call 406-896-5882 or visit https://www.msubillings.edu/girls/.