As an advocate for STEM education and women’s empowerment, I was thrilled to participate alongside Annabel in the SheTech Explorer Day event, where we had the opportunity to present a booth about undergraduate and graduate school to a diverse group of 3700 girls spanning grades 6 to 12. Held at the spacious Mountain American Exposition Center, the venue buzzed with excitement and anticipation as girls from various backgrounds gathered to explore the world of technology. The Women’s Tech Council that organized the event did an incredible job setting up decorations, balloons, and photo-opportunities for the mentors and mentees.
Preparation for the event began weeks in advance, as Annabel and I meticulously crafted our booth presentation to cater to the interests and aspirations of our young audience. Drawing from our own experiences as tech enthusiasts and graduate students, we aimed to demystify the path to higher education and inspire the next generation of female leaders in STEM fields. We created a QR code to a document with resources including financial wellbeing resources, women’s and technology clubs, graduate student day-in-the-life vlogs and Instagram pages, research opportunities, etc. We also sought to engage the young women with an activity identifying female scientists for a chance to win University of Utah gear. We created flyers with photos of famous female scientists as well as descriptions of their lives and work on the back; if the girls could guess their name, they won a prize! Our engagement activity at the SheTech Explorer Day was designed to be interactive and accessible. By highlighting famous female researchers, we sought to ignite curiosity and foster a sense of possibility among the attendees.
Throughout the day, we engaged in lively conversations with girls eager to learn about the opportunities available to them in STEM fields. We shared personal anecdotes, answered questions, and provided guidance on navigating the complexities of undergraduate and graduate school admissions. It was heartening to witness the girls’ enthusiasm and curiosity as they explored various aspects of STEM education and career pathways.
As the event came to a close, we reflected on the outcomes of our engagement activity. The response from the girls was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing newfound interest and confidence in pursuing STEM-related studies and careers. Several attendees approached us to express their gratitude for providing valuable insights and encouragement, reaffirming the impact of our efforts.
Looking back on our experience at SheTech Explorer Day, there were aspects that went exceptionally well. Our booth attracted a steady stream of enthusiastic participants throughout the event, indicating a genuine interest and engagement with the topics we presented. We also found that having candy and stickers on our table greatly increased the foot traffic to our table. The interactive nature of our guess-the-researcher activity fostered meaningful interactions and discussions about female representation in STEM throughout history. However, there were also areas where improvements could be made. In hindsight, we realized that incorporating more hands-on activities and multimedia resources could further enhance the overall experience for the girls. Additionally, creating a banner and more signage would have made the purpose of our booth clearer. We did not have the budgetary allowance of other booths such as Coca Cola, Meta, and Tesla to give away as many prizes or treats.
In conclusion, our participation in SheTech Explorer Day was a rewarding and enriching experience that underscored the importance of empowering girls in STEM. By providing them with knowledge, guidance, and encouragement, we hope to inspire the next generation of female leaders and innovators in STEM fields. We extend our sincere thanks to SheTech for hosting this impactful event and for their commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM education. Together, let’s continue to empower girls to pursue their passions and unlock their full potential in STEM.
Acknowledgments:
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the organizers of SheTech Explorer Day for their dedication to empowering girls in STEM. Special thanks to the volunteers, sponsors, and exhibitors who contributed to the success of the event. We also would love to thank Andrew George and Corrine Ryan for help with the design of the booth and activities, access to resources and materials, graphic design, and sponsorship, we could not have done it without them. Lastly, we extend our appreciation to the girls who attended the event for their enthusiasm, curiosity, and passion for learning. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for women in STEM.
