Scientist Danni Washington Headlines Eighth Annual Girls in STEM Event
March 26, 2021
The eighth annual Capital Region Girls in STEM conference will be held virtually this year on Saturday, April 17. This popular event, which gives girls in grades four through eight an introduction to science, technology, engineering and math fields and careers, will feature keynote speaker, scientist Danni Washington, the first African-American woman to host her own science-focused television series.
More than 200 girls from around the Capital Region are expected to participate in this free educational event. In addition to the talk by Washington, the event features nearly two dozen interactive, virtual workshops facilitated by leaders and educators in STEM professions. Topics will include “Coding Bootcamp,” “Learning Science Through Bodies in Motion,” “Women in STEM Trivia,” and many more.
A graduate of the University of Miami, Washington served as a correspondent on the television series Mission Unstoppable, and is deeply involved in marine conservation issues. She co-founded Big Blue & You - A 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and educating youth about marine conservation through the arts and media. She’s currently the host of The Genius Generation, a podcast focused on young people using science to make a difference in the world.
Programs like the Girls in STEM event are essential for youth, especially girls. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Labor, much of the growth in the domestic and global economy will come from STEM-related jobs – a highly lucrative and competitive field.
The urgency for more STEM and computer science educated employees is accentuated by the low percentage of females who are employed at major technology firms and women pursuing bachelor's degrees for computer science. According to the U.S. Census, despite making up nearly half of the nation’s workforce, women comprise only 27 percent of the STEM workforce.
Girls in STEM is made possible through a collaboration between Hudson Valley Community College and the Center for Economic Growth (CEG).
“Engaging young girls at the elementary and middle school level is so critical to helping them envision their future in the STEM fields,” said Hudson Valley Community College President Roger Ramsammy. “Hudson Valley Community College is proud to host Girls in STEM again this year.”
“Girls in STEM is a wonderful event that shows young girls firsthand the many educational and career opportunities available in STEM,” said Penny Hill, the college’s Dean of Economic Development and Workforce Initiatives. “Learning about those prospects encourages them to pursue an education that will allow them to make important contributions to the field one day.”
“The Center for Economic Growth is excited to support another exciting year of Girls in STEM,” said the organization’s Director of Economic Development Amanda Vitullo. “CEG has been a proud partner of this initiative since its origination nine years ago and we look forward to the continuation of this important and enriching event for girls in the Capital Region.”
Registration and More Information
To register for the event, visit: a9j1.vaftizo.com/forms/girls-in-stem. For more information about Girls in STEM, email gisevent2021@vaftizo.com.