High school junior and senior girls will be at The Ohio State University at Lima on Fri., March 6, 2015, for the first ever STEM STEPS, an enriching and exciting day filled with hands-on activities in various STEM fields to encourage and stimulate an interest in science. Check in begins at 8:30 a.m. and the day concludes at 2:30 p.m.
“The goal of the day is to empower young women to achieve success in STEM fields by instilling self-confidence and a can-do attitude,” said Dr. Swathi Mohan, a lecturer in Chemistry and coordinator for the day. “Students will also learn the role of women in STEM fields and see how they can impact the world with STEM education.”
Ohio State Lima faculty members will do hands-on activities with the students in all the STEM areas on campus, including Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Mathematics and Physics. Participating faculty include Jackie Augustine, Biology; Irina Boyadzhiev, Mathematics; Jaya Casukhela, Mathematics; Charles Good, Biology (emeritus); Susan Heaphy, Biology; Sabine Jeschonnek, Physics; Ruth Kinder, Chemistry; Swathi Mohan, Chemistry; Nicoleta Roman, Computer Science/Engineering; and Tony Shoup, Engineering. Brittany Collier-Gibson’s Education class will assist with the logistics of the day.
Nicole Nelson, MD, will serve as the keynote speaker. Nelson has been a radiologist with Lima Radiological Associates since 2006. She is fellowship trained in both neuroradiology and cardiac imaging. Dr. Nelson also serves as the Medical Director for the Radiology Department at St. Rita’s Medical Center. She received her medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and was the chief resident in diagnostic radiology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. She will speak at 9 a.m. in Science 165.
Approximately 50 young women from Allen East, Bath, Lima Central Catholic, Lima Senior, Perry and Shawnee are scheduled to participate in STEM STEPS. Each was chosen by her school.
STEM STEPS is free for the students to attend.