Lynwood Unified female scholars learned about space, witnessed life through a microscope and took a crash course in engineering during the District’s annual Girl STEM Conference, which aims to immerse young girls into the vast world of science, technology, engineering and math through engaging workshops and inspirational discussions.
The April 24 event – attended by over 350 third- and fourth-grade students from across the District – kicked off with motivational speeches from renowned women in the STEM field, including Harvard Medical School genetic counselor Helen Kim.
“We would love to eventually train genetic counselors who represent the diversity of America,” she said. “We hope that students become interested as they get older, and embrace the opportunities provided to them.”
Students enjoyed engaging in hands-on activities facilitated by professionals and Lynwood Unified STEM students, who taught them about aerial physics using a handmade slingshot, electrical engineering basics, astronomy immersion through hands-on crafts and additional workshops to foster a love for science among students.
“If I were to do anything in the STEM field, I would be a doctor,” Helen Keller Elementary School fourth-grader Evelyn Cervantes said. “I like that this event builds our confidence and reassures us that girls can do anything.”
Students at Lynwood Unified are provided with STEM opportunities from K-12, encouraging them to pursue impactful careers through introductory courses, extracurriculars and rigorous programs such as Project Lead the Way, SkillsUSA, robotics, computer science, medicine and more.