“Expand Your Horizons” Conference Advances Girls’ Science Interests
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2001
Kathleen McPartland
530-898-4260
“Expand Your Horizons” Conference Advances Girls’ Science Interests
Expand Your Horizons, an annual conference encouraging middle school-age girls to pursue careers in science and mathematics will be held at California State University, Chico Friday, January 12.
Approximately 250 girls from throughout northeastern California will attend Friday’s conference, which starts with an opening session at 9 a.m. in Shurmer Gym. The event will continue throughout the day, with most sessions in Holt Hall, Langdon Hall, and the planetarium between 10 a.m.-noon and 1-2 p.m. Participants will return to Shurmer Gym for a closing session, beginning at 2:15 p.m.
Each girl will attend three sessions, one each in math, science and health, in which they participate in hands-on activities that focus on a profession in the sciences. Among the professionals who will work with the girls are a local veterinarian, a police officer, quality-control microbiologists for Sierra Nevada, a criminologist and a naturalist.
The conference, sponsored by CSU, Chico’s Center for Math and Science Education, is an effort to overcome a history of limited participation by women in careers involving the sciences and mathematics. Other conference goals are to increase the interest of young women in mathematics and science through hands-on experiences, and to provide young women with opportunities to meet and interact with women professionals in math, science, and health.
Contributions from the local Girl Scouts have enabled the conference to serve at least 50 more girls than were able to attend last year.
For more information and advance schedules, contact the Center for Mathematics and Science Education, (530) 898-4322.
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