The Laboratory is co-hosting the annual Expanding Your Horizons conference with Los Alamos Women in Science on March 15. The conference offers girls in grades eight through 10, and their teachers the opportunity to explore careers in science, engineering and mathematics.
The program takes place this year at University of New Mexico, Los Alamos. Registration packets were sent to middle and high schools in the Chama Valley, Cuba, Dulce, Española, Jemez Mountain, Jemez Valley, Las Vegas, N.M., Los Alamos, Mesa Vista, Mora, Pecos, Penasco, Pojoaque, Questa, Santa Fe, Taos and Wagon Mound school districts.
Expanding Your Horizons endeavors to increase New Mexico female students’ awareness and interest in careers in math, science and engineering. EYH06 introduces girls to the possibilities of careers in science and also provides the opportunity for girls to meet women who are professionals in traditionally male dominated professions.
The conference begins with a team building exercise – last year’s exercise challenged teams to build a structure that would support a person with only a few pieces of paper and tape. Students will participate in two smaller "hands-on" workshops specific to their interests, a career and college fair. Participants also will attend a keynote address titled “From Science Phobia to Scientist: Advice from a Black Sheep,” by Lab geologist Claudia Lewis of Environmental Geology and Spatial Analysis (EES-9).
The EYH06 conference and teacher’s conference is organized by the LAWIS, a chapter of the Northern Chapter of New Mexico Network for Women in Science and Engineering. Other sponsors include UNM-LA and the Los Alamos branch of American Association of University Women Inc.
Girls and teachers are encouraged to apply. Go to http://lawis.lanl.gov/eyh/ online for registration information and the full list of sponsors.
The Math and Science Network created the first Expanding Your Horizons conference at Mills College in 1976. This year marks the 32nd anniversary of the national Math and Science Network and the 28th year of Expanding Your Horizons in Los Alamos. The Laboratory has been a cosponsor of EYH since its inception in Los Alamos.
