"This event is a great opportunity to inspire our next generation of scientists and engineers," said Erika Benda, chairperson of the event and an Argonne mechanical engineer. "The event is designed to spark their curiosity and encourage girls to pursue their interests in science and engineering."
The event is a fun and educational way to introduce girls to engineering careers. The students will spend the day with a mentor, tour the laboratory, participate in hands-on activities and attend interactive presentations about engineering careers. They will also have lunch with some of Argonne's leading experts and have the opportunity to ask questions about their work, education and how they decided to enter their chosen fields.
The event is open to 6th-, 7th- and 8th-grade girls interested in math, science and engineering fields from throughout the Chicago area.
The application deadline is January 29th. Application forms are available at www.dep.anl.gov/p_k-12/iged/2010_School_Application.pdf
Student selection is conducted by lottery, and all interested middle-school girls are encouraged to apply.
Sponsorship for the event is provided by all of Argonne's research areas in conjunction with Argonne's Division of Educational Programs and the Women in Science and Technology program.
For more information about the program, please visit Argonne's Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day website www.anl.gov/Media_center/news/2010/news100107.html
Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology. The nation's first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities, and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific problems, advance America 's scientific leadership and prepare the nation for a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.
