Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day has been an event in Anchorage for years, and now it’s coming to Juneau.<\/p>\n
The collaboration between Girl Scouts of Alaska and ExxonMobil is meant to encourage an interest in science, technology, engineering and math, and it will bring hands-on STEM learning opportunities to Centennial Hall from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.<\/p>\n
“We’ve been hoping that they would bring this down for years, so I’m really excited,” said Alyson Cooper, membership specialist for Southeast Alaska for Girl Scouts of Alaska. “We have done a lot of work to bring lots of science, technology, engineering and math to the girls. It’s hands-on, it’s all about those things that make it a Girl Scout event.”<\/p>\n
The event, which is part of a worldwide campaign, will include experiments, interaction with role models and more.<\/p>\n
“We have girls who are really excited,” said Kelly FitzGerald, STEM director for Girl Scouts of Alaska. “But we do have space available.”<\/p>\n
Introduce a Girl to STEM Day is free and open to all girls in fifth through eighth grade, FitzGerald said — even non Scouts.<\/p>\n
“At GirlScoutsAlaska.org and click on activities, they will be able to see the link to register,” FitzGerald said. “It is free and girls receive a free T-shirt, a goodie bag, patch and lunch is provided.”<\/p>\n
Two engineers for ExxonMobil Alaska, who will participate in Saturday’s event said they are fans of the program, and it can make a difference.<\/p>\n
Sonia Laughland, environmental and regulatory adviser for ExxonMobil Alaska, and Erin Sage, risk and safety adviser for ExxonMobil Alaska, were both interested in STEM-related subjects as children.<\/p>\n
“My first toy was a calculator,” Sage said. “I always loved math. That was something I always wanted to pursue.”<\/p>\n
But Sage and Laughland did not specifically know engineering was something they would be interesting until they were older and had firsthand experience with engineers and the world of engineering.<\/p>\n
“I wish I had learned about the exciting part of being an engineer much earlier on.” Laughland said.<\/p>\n
She will helm one of the more popular hands-on stations during Saturday’s event and hopes to share some of that excitement.<\/p>\n
“We’re actually going to be making chapstick using oils and butters,” Laughland said. “In the past, it’s definitely been a crowd pleaser.”<\/p>\n
Know & Go<\/strong><\/p>\n