Expanding Your Horizons

The Expanding Your Horizons (EYH) conference at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is a one-day conference designed to motivate young womens' interest in science, mathematics, engineering and technology. The conference will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2012.

Highlights of EYH include Margaret Lowman, Ph.D. as the keynote speaker and workshop presenter.  Dr. Lowman is the director of the Nature Research Center, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and Research Professor, Physical and Mathematical Sciences, North Carolina State University. She has designed hot-air balloons and walkways for treetop exploration to solve mysteries in the world’s forests, especially insect pests and ecosystem health.  She will share her passion for science and the environment, and bring her experiences in the treetops to SMWC.                 

Additionally, prominent professional women who work in the STEM fields will lead the hands-on workshops.

Thanks to the following for sponsoring the keynote address:

     

• Registration is open.  Please follow Steps 1, 2, and 3
• Download the Expanding Your Horizons brochure
  

Conference Details

Who: All young women in middle school, grades 6-8.

What: A hands-on science and mathematics conference

Where: Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

When: Saturday, November 3, 2012 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Why:

• Investigate science and mathematics careers,
• Talk with women in science and math careers, 
• Attend science and math workshops, 
• Participate in hands-on activities, and
• Meet other girls interested in science and mathematics!

Registration

• Registration is a three-step process, as seen in the instructions to the right. Please complete the steps in order.
• $20 registration fee per participant.
• Registration deadline has been extended to Monday, October 29.
  

Workshops are also available for parents, teachers, and troop leaders.

We will confirm your registration within ten days of receipt. You must complete all steps of the registration to be officially registered.

If you are experiencing problems with the online pay system, please complete Steps 1 and 2 and then mail your check to Dr. Anneliese Payne, Hulman Hall, SMWC, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876

Any interested teacher or parent may attend Dr. Lowman's keynote address from 9:15 - 9:45 am free of charge.  In order to attend the parent/teacher workshops, receive a t-shirt and eat lunch, you must register for the conference.  Registration fee is the same for all participants.

Workshops

Treasures from the Rain Forest Canopy

What products do humans obtain from rain forests? Are they sustainable? And what is the future for these precious forests? Dr. "CanopyMeg" Lowman has spent 30 years working with shamans (medicine men), conservation programs, and indigenous villagers to create sustainable harvests of different rain forest products. Come and learn about all the amazing treasures that rain forests provide for us, how they are harvested, and discuss why these habitats are critical to the future of our planet. Different products will be displayed and some will be eaten!

Margaret Lowman, Ph.D., Director, Nature Research Center, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Learning is Sweet!

How does a liquid change into a solid?  Does it absorb the cold or lose heat?  You will answer these questions by changing milk into ice cream!  You will make an individual serving of ice cream in baggies and make observations on phase changes of solids and liquids.  A variety of toppings will be provided so you can enjoy your creations.  Instructions will be provided so that you can recreate this activity at home.

Diedra Adams, Science Teacher, West Vigo Middle School

Healthy Horse

Does a horse's heart sound similar to mine?  You will learn how to listen to a horse’s heart and from this, determine if it is under stress, calm or excited. You will also learn how to take the horse’s temperature and respiration count. Come join in this hands-on learning experience evaluating a horse’s health.  We will be going to the barn, so please dress warm.

Angie McMillin, Equine Facilities Manager, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

When "meow" or "woof" means "Ouch, that hurts!"

How do doctors treat patients who can’t tell them in words what is wrong? In this workshop find out what a typical day is like for a vet and have a chance to evaluate some furry patients.

Nancy Schenck, D.V.M., Veterinarian, Petcare Animal Hospital

Do you use your money wisely?

Do you know if you found the best deal shopping?  How can your money work for you? You will learn if an outfit is a good deal.  (Don’t forget sales tax!).  You will also learn about investing a small amount of money and see the returns you will receive in years to come.

Beth Fajt, Ph.D. Adjunct Professor, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

What size is my arm?

In this workshop, you will figure out hand/arm water displacement to see if both hands (dominant and non-dominant) are the same “size”.  If you happen to have a sports injury, how will a physical therapist determine how much swelling there is in the injured limb?  This is also your opportunity to meet an NCAA high jump champion.

Diane Evans, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Mathematics and Elizabeth Evans, Electrical Engineering & Mathematics student, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Would you like to meet Alice?

Alice is an innovative 3D program that makes it easy to create animations or games.  The Alice project provides tools and materials for a conceptual core of computational thinking, problem solving and computer programming.  You will be able to learn to use the software and will be able to take Alice home with you to continue the fun.

Deborah Gaff, Educational Liaison, Portal Resources for Indiana Science and Mathematics, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Lost Treasures

Want to play electronic hide and seek?  Learn about geocaching and look for a sweet cache at SMWC.  Something is hidden; can you and your team find it?  If so, you will find the mystery prize.  Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather.  We will do our treasure hunt outdoors. 

Lana Lytle, Associate Professor, of Business and Computer and Information Systems, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Secret, Secret, I've got a secret!

Have you ever wanted to send your friend an important message but were worried someone else might see your message?  Good news, you are not alone.  For over 3,000 years, civilizations have been struggling with how to securely send messages without having them intercepted by unwanted parties.  Take for instance, the tyrant Histiaeus (500 B.C.).  He needed to send a message about starting a revolt against the Persians.  So, he tattooed the message on the head of his favorite slave and sent his slave off to deliver the message after all his hair grew back. There are many ways of encrypting your message that don't require you to shave the head of your most trusted friend.  Come to this workshop and learn several ways to encrypt messages and keep them secret.

Leanne Holder, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Mathematics, and Lori Hernandez Maxwell, student, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Do all goats have horns?

Are you interested in animals, ever wished you lived on a farm, or are just plain curious about goats? Then come out to the ELM Pavilion where you can learn about these amazing creatures, hear about Project Olympia—a research study being done with dairy goats, meet a few members of the research herd, and find out the answer to the question—Do all goats have horns?  This session will be outside, please wear appropriate clothes.

Jenette Seal, Pre-vet and Pre-Professional Major, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Water Wonders

How much water can a penny hold?  Come explore the properties of water. What is surface tension? Learn about water adhesion, hydrophobic/hydrophilic, and osmosis.  Have some fun with these experiments and share them with your family when you get home.

Bridget Ireland, Science Teacher, North Vigo High School and M.Ed.’11 alumna.

Naturific!

Learn all about honeybees and their importance in agriculture and the natural world.  Students will see the inside of a sample hive and even make their own lip balm using beeswax and other all natural ingredients.

Candace Minster, Garden Manager and Fiber Projects Coordinator, White Violet Center for Eco-Justice