Forums
- Louisville Forum held on Tuesday, February 23, 2010: On February 23, 2010, Kentucky Girls STEM Collaborative held a forum co-hosted by the Louisville Science Center in downtown Louisville, KY. The snow stopped long enough for parents, girls, teachers, community organizations, and industries to come together and learn about six successful women working in Kentucky. Attendees listened to each professional describe her career path, then had the opportunity to talk with the scientists and engineers in small groups settings. Representatives from local universities and science-related organizations had exhibits during the forum and gave short presentations to introduce the audience to their programs. A mini-grant recipient, Dr. Gary Rivoli of the University of Louisville Speed School Of Engineering, described his partnership with an all-female middle school and the impact their after-school engineering club had on the students.
- Northern Kentucky Forum held November 10, 2009: At our Northern Kentucky Forum, hosted by General Cable (an international cable company with over 300 employees) in the Highland Heights Kentucky headquarters, the Kentucky Girls STEM Collaborative completed a major leap forward in their advancement across the state to increase girls’ interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Our forum was particularly successful as we engaged all of our partners at this occasion: industry, parents, K-12 education, higher education, community organizations, and government. Our program consisted of an introduction to the Kentucky Girls STEM Collaborative during which we emphasized the opportunity to apply for mini-grants. We also included a panel of women scientists, engineers and teachers from the region to share their “success stories” with the audience. A second panel of local universities and colleges showcased their STEM programs including information for parents/students on the requirements for admission to higher education. We concluded the evening with a drawing for some great prizes.
- On June 9, 2009, Kentucky Girls STEM Collaborative hosted a forum at the East Kentucky Science Center in Prestonsburg, KY to increase the knowledge of the Kentucky Girls STEM Collaborative programs and activities that promote the involvement of females in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and careers. In addition, Kentucky Girls STEM Collaborative provided information on the statewide plan to accelerate Kentucky’s performance within the STEM disciplines. A girl-serving program from the region, “Fun with Color,” was also highlighted.
- On September 25, 2008, the Kentucky Girls STEM Collaborative hosted a forum at the Kentucky “Idea Festival” in Louisville. The forum, titled "Working Towards Career Parity: Preparing More Girls for Their Roles in the Global Economy," was attended by approximately 30 men and women. Our speaker, Dr. Katrina Firlik, neurosurgeon and author of “The Frontal Lobe,” captivated us with details of her life and encouraged lively discussion from the audience. This event was co-hosted by American Association of University Women.
If you would like more information on these forums, please contact Chair, Sue Scheff.
Kentucky Girls STEM Collaborative Featured on “Connections with Renee Shaw.”
Kentucky Educational Television aired a panel discussion that included several Kentucky Girls STEM Collaborative members outlining the importance of encouraging participation in STEM career paths, highlighting challenges to STEM engagement, and providing an overview of Collaborative services and goals.
First shown January 23 and re-aired in an updated form June 5, the discussion featured several Kentucky STEM Girls Collaborative panelists:
- Doris Clark-Sarr, Director of Adventures in Math and Science, Murray State University
- Carol Hanley, Director of Education and Communications, Tracy Farmer Center for the Environment, University of Kentucky
- Nancy Martin, Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Louisville
- Sue Scheff, Coordinator and Advisor, Appalachian and Minority Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Majors Program, University of Kentucky.
Participants reviewed factors that hinder girls’ involvement and success in STEM subject, including a lack of role models and the perception that smart girls are not socially successful. Panelists also outlined Kentucky Girls STEM Collaborative specific services, short- and long-term goals, financial aid available to Kentucky girls interested in the sciences, parents’ and teachers’ roles in the initiative, and much more.
View the original broadcast http://www.ket.org/connections/program.fwx?programid=CWRS0420 (aired January 23, 2009) and the updated broadcast http://www.ket.org/connections/program.fwx?programid=CWRS0436 (aired June 5, 2009).
