October 25, 2012

Media Advisory -- Expanding Your Horizons

An event this weekend at SIU Carbondale will help young women explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Between 100 and 130 girls in grades 5-9 are expected at the 22nd annual "Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Mathematics" conference, Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Student Center and other sites on campus. The event increases girls' awareness of career opportunities in science, math, technology and engineering through a variety of workshops, hands-on experiences, and networking opportunities.

Reporters, photographers and camera crews are welcome to cover the event, which runs from 9:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 30 professionals from SIU Carbondale, area community colleges, and private companies are donating their time to lead workshops. The workshops will also give girls the opportunity to connect with women role models who are already in science-related careers.

Among the 19 workshop offerings this year are sessions on aviation careers, DNA analysis, earthquakes, engineering design, geology, graphing calculators, home network wireless routing, lasers and photonics, mathematics, microbiology, physics, physical fitness, and polymers. Each participant attends three workshops.

For more information, contact event co-chairs, Mary Wright and Kathleen Pericak-Spector, professors of mathematics. For more information call 618/453-5302 or visit math.siu.edu/EYH/EYH-Page.html.