Lindsay Powers || Staff Writer || Issue 18
The last weekend in March, Hudson Valley Community College hosted its 12th annual Girls in STEM Conference, a free event for girls in 4th through 8th grade. The conference is designed to inspire girls to pursue careers in technology, engineering, and math through interactive learning.
Students who attended the conference were able to explore the STEM field through hands-on activities aimed at nurturing interest in science- and technology-based careers. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), only 35% of STEM graduates globally are women, making programs like STEM even more essential for girls.
Girls in STEM Event, The Troy Record
The conference kicked off with a youth-focused lecture in the Bulmer Telecommunications Center on the main campus from 9 a.m to 11:30 a.m, featuring Molly Mulligan, Ph.D., as the keynote speaker. Mulligan, a space medicine researcher who has collaborated with NASA, spoke to students about careers in science and working in space-related fields.
Following the Keynote, students rotated through their selected 45-minute workshop, which included operating robotic arms, building and testing electronic circuits, using engineering tools to construct small projects, and dissecting owl pellets.
There were also sessions that introduced students to architecture design, applied mathematics, and environmental science through small-group instruction. HVCC faculty members and STEM professionals led the workshops, which emphasized experimentation, collaboration, and real-world applications.
This year, organizers limited attendance to only two hundred students to allow small-group workshops and for students to make mistakes while interacting with instructors in a supportive learning environment. Organizers believe this format will encourage participation and make students feel more comfortable while exploring subjects that they may be unfamiliar with.
HVCC has hosted this conference for over ten years and plans to continue hosting the STEM Conference as part of its ongoing efforts to connect girls with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The Hudsonian 