Texas Women and Girls in STEM Summit
Lightning Talks
During 9:15 a.m. – 10:20 a.m. Welcome Session
 

AAAS and Lyda Hill Philanthropies IF/THEN Ambassadors

The AAAS IF/THEN® Ambassadors program furthers women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics by empowering current innovators and inspiring the next generation of pioneers. The program brings together 125 women from a variety of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers to serve as high-profile role models for middle school girls. Meet two of the AAAS IF/THEN® Ambassadors and learn more about the program.

Presented by:
Dr. Amanda Masino, Associate Professor of Biology at Huston-Tillotson University
Jennifer Stimpson, Middle School Science Teacher, The Hockaday School

Calling all STEMinistas: Elevating the Voices of Girls & Women in STEM

Who gets to be a STEM leader and whose voice is valued in STEM? When it comes to best practices in increasing women and girls' participation in STEM, we need to ask this question. There are many ways to foster a STEM identity and expose girls to female role models in STEM, but how are we also elevating the student's voices and lining up their passions with accessible opportunities? This breakout session will share best practices for reaching this goal and engage the audience in this discussion.

Presented by:
Dr. Stephanie Garcia, STEM & Gender Equity Education Associate; State Director for the Chief Science Officers Program, Intercultural Development Research Association - International Chief Science Officers

Girl Powered - Redefining the Face of STEM

The Robotics Education and Competition (REC) Foundation is a global nonprofit educational organization that provides elementary, middle school, and high school-age youth, as well as college students, with unique opportunities to participate in high-quality and affordable STEM-based robotics programs and competitions using the award winning VEX Robotics platform. Girl Powered, the latest innovative initiative of the REC Foundation, is aimed at increasing girls' access to, and confidence in, STEM careers. The REC Foundation believes in the power of diversity in increasing creativity among teams and the entire community can help us recognize and overcome societal obstacles that present themselves for girls at a very early age.

Presented by:
Leslie Hughes, Grants Program Manager, Robotics Education Competition Foundation
Veronica Andrulat, REC Foundation Project Manager

megaGEMS - STEAM Enrichment for High School Girls

GEMS inspires and empowers girls through an engaging and challenging learning environment to be innovative and passionate about their potential futures in STEAM fields. The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Autonomous Vehicle Systems (AVS) Lab established, a 2-week STEAM summer camp in 2015 for middle school aged girls called miniGEMS. The camp is focused on inspiring girls from within the San Antonio area Title 1 public schools by providing them the resources to explore the STEAM fields at no cost to the girls or their families.

Presented by:
Stephanie Weiss-Lopez, Research Assistant, University of the Incarnate Word
Jenny Stewart, AVS Research Assistant/Meteorologist

Empowering Girls to Innovate, Create, and Discover Their Potential Through Entrepreneurship

VentureLab knows that entrepreneurship is more than starting a business, it's a way of thinking and doing that brings STEM to life. In a constantly changing future, it is the entrepreneurial mindset and skill set that will allow girls to grow into passionate innovators and change makers. Starting young and providing consistent, quality learning experiences, girls will learn to identify authentic opportunities, create innovative solutions, take calculated risks, redefine failure as a learning opportunity, and not be constrained by fear of perfectionism. We need the adults in their life equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools to help make this happen!

Presented by: Scott Mann, Director of Education and Training, VentureLab

Return to Texas Women and Girls in STEM Summit Home Page