Please note that we have had an exceptional number of applications for the Girls In STEAM Conference. While we are still accepting applications to attend the virtual event, we no longer have activity kits available for new sign-ups. Thank you for your interest in this program.
Description
On February 11th, we mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Join us for a fun, engaging, and inspiring event – Girls in STEAM 2022
The Girls in STEAM 2022 conference is an opportunity for youth in grades 6 to 9 to meet women working in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) fields, gain new skills, and have a lot of fun with hands-on activities.
The conference features a live keynote presentation from leading science communicator and Neuroscientist, Dr. Samantha Yammine (Science Sam). Dr. Yammine loves talking about anything science, anywhere & everywhere — she’s hosted a livestream with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station and talked ringside with Muay Thai fighters about performance anxiety. She goes by Science Sam on Instagram where she’s built a strong community of people who love her unique style of socially conscious science storytelling.
Following the lively keynote address, participants will join one of four breakout sessions where they will meet a woman in a STEAM field and participate in a hands-on learning activity. The asynchronous breakout sessions will cover topics of engineering, architecture/design, wildlife rehabilitation, as well as coding.
During the afternoon live session Yoga, Mindfulness, and Meditation teacher, Diana Bye will lead participants through a workshop.
Cost
This event is FREE for all participants. Registration is required.
The Girls in STEAM 2022 conference will be presented virtually, although there is a limited number of supplies for the breakout session activities. Upon acceptance to the event, participants will be shipped a kit of materials to help them complete breakout session activities. Teachers who register will receive enough materials for a class of thirty students.
Each kit will contain:
Materials to create a balloon-powered vehicle
An Owl Pellet dissection kit
An Adafruit PyBadge LC Board, that will be used in a game design coding activity
Event Schedule
9:30 am – Welcome
Welcome and introduction – Sara McCreary
Opening – Elder Marjorie Lavallee
Welcome from Minister Ross
Welcome from Sandy Baumgartner
10:00 am – Keynote speaker – Samantha Yammine
11:00 am – Breakout sessions
12:00 pm – Lunch
1:00 pm – Welcome back – Sara McCreary
Introduction of mentor – Joely Big Eagle-Kequahtooway
Mindfulness workshop – Diana Bye
2:15 pm – Breakout sessions
With Support From
FAQ:
My classroom will contain both boys and girls. Does this mean that I am unable to register?
No! This conference will contain themes and messaging that are meant to speak more directly to girls. However, the keynote and sessions will contain information and messaging that speaks to a larger audience and are appropriate for all audiences.
Do participants have to register as part of a classroom or can individuals apply?
This event is open to individuals or classrooms. When applying for the event, you will be asked to indicate whether you are registering for yourself or for a classroom, and then receive a few follow-up questions.
Am I able to participate in the event even if I cannot receive supplies? Can I still apply to view the keynotes and breakout sessions?
Absolutely! This event has great information even if you do not have supplies. All activities that are a part of breakout sessions will show supplies that are used and are offered asynchronously so you are able to come back to those sessions at a future time. It is also worth noting, that our coding platform allows you to utilize virtual hardware so you can still code along with us.
If I am a teacher and I apply, what would I receive?
Our classroom kits are designed for students to work in pairs and allow classes of up to 30 students to participate. Each classroom kit will contain the following:
15x Balloon Car Activity Kits
15x Owl Pellet Dissection Kits
15x PyBadge LC Kits
Instructions for Activities
Why is this conference designed with girls being the primary audience?
There is a lot of evidence that show as young women learn in school, they perform on par with boys, and enroll in STEAM classes on par. However, as time goes on, a gender gap grows as participation from girls in STEAM classes drops off. This is further widened by issues of race and class. Our goal in offering this program is to help these young girls begin to understand that anyone can be a scientist, engineer, coder, an architect, or any STEAM-related professional by creating positive experiences with other young women. We hope to dispel the myth that they aren't able to excel in STEAM fields
About the International Day of Women and Girls in Science
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are a call to action to promote prosperity and protect the planet. Goal 5 seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. To achieve this goal, youth in particular girls, need more opportunities to learn about careers and opportunities to be future innovators.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science (unesco.org)