The future for young women in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields is looking even brighter as of late! Known for its STEM programming events, the highly touted nonprofit GirlStart organization has been empowering young girls nationwide in the STEM fields of study. Recently, GirlStart sponsored a day-long conference in Austin, TX on April 9, 2022. The Girls in STEM Conference 2022, helped young girls currently in 4th-8th grades discover the fun side of STEM careers at this unique annual conference just for them.
The Girls in STEM Conference 2022 day was packed with three hands-on workshops led by women and volunteers in science, technology, engineering, and math fields. The CM2 administrative team hosted one of these workshop events during the conference for a group of thirty fourth-grade girls. The girls organized themselves into five teams in order to participate in a city-building exercise designed by CM2 called Build A City Out of Candy! With the use of toothpicks, marshmallows, candy and more for construction materials, the goal for each of the five teams was to cooperatively plan and build their “ideal” city. This exercise proved to be a catalyst in directing these young women towards considering a future in STEM-related career fields such as City and Regional Planning, Transportation and Architecture.
“It was so great hosting such a fun event after the past two years. Girls left feeling inspired and in awe of all of the awesome workshops they attended. It was also so meaningful for them to meet so many great role models and hopefully realize all of the amazing careers they could have in STEM.”
Sharlym Aquino Gil, GirlStart Austin’s Director of Volunteers & Community Relations.
CM2’s Build A City Out of Candy! workshop activity was deemed a success by all accounts, as the girls were riveted by the subject matter and appreciated the opportunity to participate. With such positive feedback, the event’s organizers are excited about future events.
