PCEC News
Academy of STEM Holds Women in STEM Conference for High School Students
December 16, 2019
The Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) Academy of STEM held its third Women in STEM Conference for sixty Innovation Central high school students at the Grand Valley State University Innovation Design Center.
STEM professionals in engineering, biomedical science, computer science, data science, and manufacturing partnered with GVSU faculty to provide educational activities and presentations for the GRPS students. The goal of the conference was to give students a day-long experience doing STEM activities and interacting with professionals in the community to learn more about future career options, while simultaneously introducing professional women in the STEM field to Innovation Central students and all their hopes and dreams.
Marissa Baty, MS, PA-C, a graduate of GRPS now practicing internal medicine locally, provided a keynote address on the importance of women in STEM careers and encouraged students to believe in themselves. Students also attended workshops on viscoelasticity, hovercrafts, and nanotechnology as well as a Careers in STEM panel discussion and presentations on biomedical science and computer/data science. During lunch, the students had the opportunity to network with STEM professionals and ask questions about their work and career paths.