“Choice” was the theme of a recent virtual event focused on encouraging high school girls to continue to choose STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) studies. The event was a partnership between the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) at the University of Chicago and the Exelon Foundation.
The 90-minute event brought together young women from Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania who are interested in STEM and involved in Exelon’s STEM Leadership Academy.
Organized by Roell Schmidt, managing/producing director for STAGE (Scientists, Technologists and Artists Generating Exploration) and Laura Rico-Beck, educational training and outreach coordinator at Pritzker Molecular Engineering, the event included a warmup activity, a Junior Science Café, and a question-and-answer time with an expert panel.
“We combined our Junior Science Café—a 30-minute session that engages students with STEM using personal stories and hands-on activities—with an opportunity for students to have a panel discussion with women researchers in all stages of their careers, from those in undergraduate school all the way to faculty members,” Rico-Beck said.
The event also explored the intersection of science and art in STEM careers.
“We tend to think of creativity as just for artistic pursuits, and yet creative and imaginative thinking is absolutely required in science, technology and engineering,” Schmidt said. “We’re not going to find the most innovative solution if we aren’t creative and imaginative thinkers.”
