This year’s Expanding Your Horizons (EYH) conference will take place on Oct. 5, 2019 at Stevenson University. Expanding Your Horizons is a national network that encourages young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Expanding your Horizons Network was started in 1974 by an informal group of women scientists and educators in the San Francisco Bay area. They started the group to help raise female participation in math courses.
EYH plans conferences in which middle school girls can participate in hands-on math, science, technology, and engineering activities. They showcase possible careers in the STEM fields, along with giving young women positive role models.
According to techbridgegirls.org, EYH currently has more than 80 conferences with up to 25,000 attendees each year. EYH runs as a volunteer organization headed up by STEM professionals, educators, parents, and community leaders. These conferences are mostly funded by donations, sponsorships, and federal/state grants.
This year, EYH will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. in the Owings Mills Academic Center. Following registration will be a welcome ceremony and an alumnae keynote address. Then, attendees will be split into groups and start their activities.
There will be four workshops at this year’s EYH: Biology, Chemistry, STEM, and Humans.
In the biology workshop, participants will use fruit flies to gain understanding of the human brain, as well as examining a simulated surgery and mock disease outbreak.
The chemistry workshop will show the participants the chemical make-up of glow sticks, soap, and foam. Participants will analyze DNA and the structure of parasites along with learning the importance of purified water and proper hand washing techniques during the workshop.
The humans workshop will teach participants cell structure and chemistry of life. A student from Maryvale Preparatory School will showcase her work in exercise physiology by demonstrating a step test, a “sit ‘n’ reach” test, and measuring and calculatiblood pressures, heart rates, and VO2 max.
It is not too late to volunteer to help out at this year’s Expanding Your Horizons conference. Contact the EYH planning committee by emailing [email protected] or by contacting Michelle Schwartz via phone 443-394-9773.
Stevenson University Beverly K. Fine School of the Sciences and Toyota Financial Services are sponsoring this year’s Expanding Your Horizons conference at SU.
