Girls to learn more about math, science careers
By Melissa Muntz Community Reporter

Region - Two hundred middle school girls from Shrewsbury and Westborough will have a chance to meet with successful women working in the fields of math, science, technology and engineering during the Expanding Your Horizons Women in Science Conference in April.

Event coordinators said that girls typically shy away from these fields, and they want them to see how far they can go with a strong foundation in math and science.

"We want to show them that the possibilities are endless with a foundation in math and science by having professional women able to talk to the girls about their work and relate to them on a personal level," said event coordinator State Rep. Karyn E. Polito, R-Shrewsbury.

The girls can choose to meet with three of more than 20 presenters to learn more about their respective fields.

Included on the list of professionals are a doctor, a medical researcher, a fire science engineer, a veterinarian, a marine biologist and a crime lab analyst.

Polito said she cast a wide net in choosing professionals to speak, saying she wanted to make sure there was something that every girl could get excited about.

"These women can speak firsthand with enthusiasm about the work they do and provide a hands-on activity to engage the girls and really get their wheels turning," she said.

In addition to individual workshops with the professionals of their choice, the girls will also gather to hear speeches from women in these fields.

The event is open to all sixth-, seventh- and eighthgraders in Shrewsbury and Westborough, and will be held Saturday April 5 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oak Middle School. Only 200 spaces are available, and Polito said a lottery system would be used if necessary.