Emily Wood, executive director of the Indiana Wildlife Federation, will be the keynote speaker of an upcoming conference at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College aiming to nurture girls’ interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
In addition to the keynote, Wood will also facilitate a workshop at the Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Mathematics conference scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 14 at SMWC. This conference is open to 6th, 7th and 8th grade girls and parents, teachers or troop leaders.
Wood’s work focuses on utilizing native plants to create landscapes that are beneficial and supportive of wildlife and pollinators. She holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology from Ball State University and has worked in the field of public horticulture for 15 years. Indiana Wildlife Federation is a non-profit, grassroots affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation that promotes the conservation of Indiana’s wildlife and wildlife habitat.
Now in its 12th year at SMWC, EYH offers a day of hands-on activities and interactive workshops to inspire young women to consider careers in STEM. Program directors Maria Sellers and Janet Clark, Ph.D., vice president for academic and student affairs at SMWC, assemble a group of STEM experts to deliver quality workshops for the event.
“We organize this conference every year because we believe in the importance of showing young women the possibilities that await them in a career in science, technology, engineering and math,” Clark said. “The experience of interacting with female STEM role models who are sharing their expertise and passion first hand has a huge impact on girls.”
“Fostering their interest at an early age is important in developing the next generation of women leaders in these fields,” said Clark, a STEM educator and former industrial chemist. “By the end of the day, the girls see for themselves that STEM is exciting and fun.”
EYH is part of a unique nationwide network of STEM conferences. This year’s workshop line-up includes sessions on acids and bases, robotics, massage therapy, ultraviolet radiation, horse anatomy, heart health and wildlife.