Contact:

Kim Linder, 844-9927 Michael Padilla, 277-1816

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Students will engage in a variety of hands-on activities.

February 14, 2002

UNM hosts Science and Mathematics Conference for young women

The Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Mathematics Conference will take place at the University of New Mexico on Saturday, March 9 at Woodward Hall. The conference is for young women, grades six to 12, to get or keep them interested in math and science related careers.

More than 400 girls are scheduled to attend with more than 100 adults scheduled to participate in the adult program. More than 50 volunteers will lead the conference.

Kim Linder, a coordinator of the event, said participants will learn what jobs are available, what preparation and training they require and how successful women are excelling in mathematics and science-related fields.

“Participants will meet with women who have found satisfying careers in law, mathematics, engineering, computing, medicine and other non-traditional technical careers,” Linder said. “Students explore these career opportunities in hands-on, career-related workshops.”

Each student will attend three sessions. A female professional will lead each workshop and share an aspect of her technical field. Additionally, she will share what education and skills are required to perform her job, what she does at her job, and why she chose her particular career. All sessions include opportunities for questions and answers.

Workshops include: “Demolition! Materials Science in Everyday Household Appliances,” “The Mystery of Blue M&Ms: Probability and Statistics,” “Udderly Intriguing: A Dairy Nutritionist,” “Fold, Spindle and Mutilate: Paper Play Math, Science and Engineering,” and “Building a House of Spaghetti.”

###

The University of New Mexico
Public Affairs Department
Hodgin Hall, 2nd floor
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981