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 5, 2011.

Highlights of EYH include Dottie L. King, Ph.D., president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College as the keynote speaker. King will share with students and parents research on keeping young women engaged in the STEM fields. She will lead a workshop specifically for parents explaining their key role in facilitating the mindset that encourages and empowers girls to persist in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. Additionally, prominent professional women who work in the STEM fields will lead the hands-on workshops.

• Registration is closed
  

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 5, 2011,  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 3-step process, please complete the steps in order.
• $20 registration fee per participant.
• Registration opens on Oct. 3 and closes on Oct. 28, 2011
  

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.

There will be limited bus service from the Vigo Co. middle schools to the conference.  You must reserve a space by contacting your science teacher or one of the conference co-chairs listed below.

Workshops

T MINUS 3-2-1 LAUNCH!

What is NASA all about? Do you have the right stuff to be a rocket engineer or an astronaut? Participants will learn about past, present and future NASA programs and the many careers NASA has to offer. Afterwards, they will assemble and launch small rockets and test them for accuracy, distance or height. Reach for the stars and see how far you can go.

Diedra Adams, Science Teacher, West Vigo Middle School

SMELLS LIKE pHun!

Come and enjoy the fragrant essential oils of rosemary, citrus fruits and even pepper! You will learn about the exciting world of chemistry while we explore the delicious scents commonly found in popular bath products. We’ll use cutting-edge, environmentally friendly technology to extract valuable oils from some of nature’s most-loved plants using supercritical carbon dioxide.

Rebecca DeVasher, Ph.D., Research Chemist, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

HORSES MAKE MY HEART POUND!

What do we do to theirs? 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.

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

GO GO GADGET ROBOTICS!

Do you ever wish you could build a robot to clean your room? Do the dishes? Do your homework? Explore what it takes to make a robot and program it to do what you want it to do!

Cate Lane, Girl Scouts of Central Indiana

PIPECLEANER DNA

What parts of your body have been passed down from your parents and grandparents? Come join us to find out more about your DNA! Learn how to pair nitrogen bases to make a simple model of your genetic material.

Bridget Ireland, Science Teacher, North Vigo High School

GEOGEMS

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.

Lana Lytle, Associate Professor, BCIS, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

CAN YOU SEE IT?

Have fun with physics, which answers almost all intriguing questions of the world that we see and do not see. Come prepared to learn some basic principles behind telescopes and microscopes.

Sudipa Kirtley, Ph.D., Research Physicist, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

THE BEAT OF YOUR HEART!

In this workshop you will become a blood cell and follow the path the blood takes through the heart picking up oxygen from the lungs and taking it to the tissues of the body. You will also listen to your own heartbeats at various points along the way.

Jacqueline Holder, D.O., Pediatrician, UAP Clinic

CELL CULTURE AS A BLACK ART!

What is a cell culture and why is it vitally important in the pharmaceutical industry? You will see examples of how to use math to do plating, sub-culturing, etc. and work through some problems of your own.

Erin Brackney-Heflin ’07, Advanced Testing Laboratory, Eli Lilly Corporate Center

More Information

For more information about the Expanding Your Horizons conference at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College please contact: