Reflecting on Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day 2021

Posted by Amanda Joyce on Posted on in

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day was held on Thursday, February 18, 2021 virtually for 78 eighth grade girls to introduce them to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) careers. The event overall was a large success. In addition to the eighth-grade girls, we had 23 mentors engaged throughout the day to assist with questions and keep the girls involved throughout the day. The schedule of the day is below.

The goal of the day is to immerse the girls in discussion and topics on various careers and opportunities that are available to them either through school or career paths such as internships as well as to provide them guidance and mentorship about persevering through biases and doubt of themselves to achieve their own greatness.

While the event atmosphere was different not being in person, the program did not disappoint. There is nothing better than receiving positive notes after an event that reaps the benefits of the hard work that was put into this large shift of in-person to virtual event. Here is what some of the guardians of these young women sent to us after the event,

“Thank you both for offering this program. My daughter attended today’s event and couldn’t stop talking about all the speakers! The excitement she expressed is awesome and I am so appreciative of all your hard work!!!”

“Thank you, Amanda & Caitlyn, for putting on this event.  [She] had a great time!”

“The Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day was a wonderful experience…  She really enjoyed and learned a lot from it!  I’ll keep an eye on other programs that will come up for her to attend!!”

“I just wanted to share how much I truly appreciated this program as a parent.  My daughter who has long expressed an interest in engineering, spoke about this event with so much interest, energy and enthusiasm, which is definitely not something we usually experience with her.  Additionally, she came away with an invaluable idea of many different facets that comprise engineering.”

In short, IGED is a day that will forever be an amazing day in the eyes of these young STEAM women. We as co-chairs would like to thank the steering committee who spent countless hours over the last several months working to make this virtual IGED day a success. We also want to thank the mentors and the support staff who took time out of their day to provide each girl a direct line of communication with a scientist, technologist, engineer, artist, or mathematician. Thank you to our speakers throughout the day who provided their encouraging words. Finally, thank you to all the girls who joined us in person and to all those that joined us live on Facebook Live. If you weren’t able to join us, please feel free to re-watch here.

Thank you,

Amanda & Caitlyn

IGED 2021 Co-Chairs

Amanda & Caitlyn

 

Celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11

Posted by Amanda Joyce on Posted on in

Celebrate Women and Girls in Science on February 11! While Science and Gender Equality are vital for the achievement of global sustainable development goals, today less than 30 percent of researchers worldwide are women. The United Nations (UN) is leading the charge by declaring February 11, 2021 as the sixth International Day of Women and Girls in Science.†  International days are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity.  Leading Argonne National Laboratory’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), an autonomous international organization within the United Nations system, Programs in the Strategic Security Sciences Division allows me to encounter the widespread efforts to increase the participation of women in science.  The future in STEM depends on our ability to successfully engage and amplify voices cross-culturally.

So today, I encourage you to take time out of your day and take action. Here are simple ways to support women and girls in science:

  • Send an email/call/text/social media post to recognize a woman in science who is achieving, innovating and researching
  • Say yes to her request, participate in her panel, prioritize her request, or offer her an opportunity
  • Advocate for practices and engage with organizations that advance women’s empowerment

Click here for more information on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

And join the conversation on social media with #WomenInScience.

About Sunaree Hamilton

Sunaree Hamilton provides leadership for Argonne National Laboratory’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Programs. Activities organized under her leadership in cooperation with the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme provide support for the transfer of nuclear science, technology and applications for peaceful uses and the achievement of the            sustainable development in the international community.

 

†the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/70/212 declaring 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Happy New Year!

Posted by J'Tia Hart on Posted on in women in the workplace

Many enthusiastically sung “Auld Lang Syne,” this year as they put 2020 in their rearview mirror! And according to a recent McKinsey & Company report significant amounts of women were in that chorus. The annual Women in the Workplace study surveyed 40,000 women to understand our issues. The report details the faulty first step that prevents women from entering management, the impact of Covid-19 and the critical decisions that companies face to continue gains in female workforce and management participation. The report published last fall also highlights the unique impact of the current climate on women of color, working mothers and women with disabilities. And as an African-American working mother, I certainly know the words to that song.

In 2020, my motto was “grace and space.” Embracing grace allowed me to empathize with others and understand that everyone is doing the best that they can. Giving others (and myself) space allows everyone time to process everything thrown at us this past year. One of the ways that I have been practicing G&S is through listening to podcasts. I enjoy podcasts that are informative and part confessional, part self-help.  A recent favorite podcast of mine is the Tilted episode discussing how to opt-out of burnout.

I hope that you will take a little time to practice some G&S, listen to a podcast, scream into pillow, or maybe belt out your favorite song!

Take Care!

J’Tia Hart, PhD
WIST Program Initiator
[email protected]