On Friday, June 7, 2013, the Kentucky Girls STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Collaborative, in partnership with STEM-H Institute at Eastern Kentucky University, will hold its Fifth Annual Conference, “Reaching for the Stars!” at Eastern Kentucky University campus.

Educators, counselors, business and community leaders, parents and girls are invited to come meet others with a strong desire to see girls discover opportunities available to them within the STEM fields.  Conference attendees will explore up-and-coming career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math and learn proactive steps to help girls overcome roadblocks to their success in these fields.

Keynote speakers include Dr. Tracie Prater, Materials Engineer at United Launch Alliance; Dr. Suzanne Smith, Director of NASA Kentucky Space Grant and EPSCoR; and Dr. Tanea Reed, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at EKU.

A panel session of experts in “What Works” include Cynthia Warner from Kentucky Educational Television; Liza Holland of “STEM Sparks” from Tates Creek Middle School; Wendi Eads, Chemistry faculty and Coach of the Madison Central High School’s Science Olympiad Team; and Jen Carter from Space Science Center at Morehead State University.  A second panel session will include “successful females” from middle school, high school, college, industry, and academia.  This panel will include Dr. Kristen Brennan from Alltech.

The registration for the conference will only be online from May 1 to May 31.  Registration fee for the conference is $30 per person.

In conjunction with the Conference on June 7, Eastern Kentucky University will be hosting a “Girls STEM Day” from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.  We welcome girls currently in grades 5 through 11 to join us for a day of hands-on, minds-on exploration into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.  STEM practitioners and educators will lead girls through activities that mirror real-world STEM tasks and highlight creative and innovative problem solving. Participants will also learn how to best prepare themselves to study STEM fields in high school and college.

The registration for the “Girls STEM Day” will only be online from May 1 to May 31.  Registration fee for the “Girls STEM Day” is $15 per person.

Exhibitors from prominent Kentucky industries as well as girl-serving organizations and programs will be available to meet with conference attendees.  Lunch for both events will be provided on-site.

Check-in for both events begins at 8:30 a.m. at EKU Hummel Planetarium.  Conference and “Girls STEM Day” begin at 9:00a.m.  We look forward to seeing you there!

For more information contact Dr. Jaleh Rezaie at Jaleh.rezaie@eku.edu or (859) 622-1742.