By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions
SHEBOYGAN, WIS. (September 30, 2024) – The American Association of University Women (AAUW)-Sheboygan Branch is set to host its seventh annual Girls STEM Day Conference on Saturday, Nov. 2, at Sheboygan South High School, located at 1240 Washington Ave. in Sheboygan, Wis.
Established in 2017, the Girls STEM Day Conference connects sixth- through ninth-grade girls with the various applications of STEM by highlighting the core fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
The conference, which runs from 7:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. beginning with check-in from 7:45 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., features 10 unique STEM-inspired sessions, along with a presentation from keynote speaker Jennifer L. Lehrke from 8:15-9 a.m.
The conference includes a highly diverse collection of STEM field experts, including Lehrke who is the owner and president of Legacy Architecture, an award-winning architecture, interior design and historic preservation firm located in downtown Sheboygan. She is committed to preserving the legacy of the past by promoting environmentally responsible building practices for future generations. Legacy Architecture’s most notable projects include the Stephanie Weill Center and Bookworm Gardens.
Conference participants will have the opportunity to choose three of 10 available 45-minute STEM learning sessions running between 9:15 a.m. and noon.
This year’s STEM sessions cover a broad array of topics including architectural design (Architecture – Designed Awareness presented by Anne Blanke, Samantha Lee, Sydney Goetsch and Taylor Kadletz of Abacus Architects), robotics (Robotic Surgery presented by Dr. Jessica Leszcynski of Prevea Health), veterinary science (A Look Inside the Bovine Hide presented by Dr. Ellen Hooker, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture veterinarian), forensic science (Crime Scene Investigation presented by Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department Detective Tyler Wuestenhagen), applied chemistry (Chem Demons presented by Bree Lybbert and Amy Kabrhel of UW-Green Bay), the science of color and appearance (The Science of Color presented by Kohler Co. staff members Megan Doege, Megan Sprenger, Samantha Kraft and Shari McWilliams), emergency medicine and nursing health care (Blood and Body Works by Aurora Regional EMS Community Educator Jean Zemke), the science of hydroponics (Grow Fresh Produce Hydroponically presented by Howards Grove High School teacher Makayla Malone and Howards Grove FFA participants), role of pigs in human medicine (Medical Devices Made From Pig presented by Aubrey Doherty and Lauren Sammel of Johnsonville Sustainable Swine Resources) and the role of environmental scientists and consultants (Dirty Jobs: Sneak Preview Into Environmental Consulting presented by Kelsey Bird, engineer; Kendyl Hoss, hydrogeologist; Kyleen Bruckner, EHS specialist; Jenn Zillmer; EHS project manage and Jeanie Angel, Fehr Graham project assistant).
Over the past six years, the AAUW-Sheboygan Branch Girls STEM Day Conference has granted area girls a rare opportunity to experience the wonderful world of STEM through various hands-on activities and learn directly from STEM field experts.
“As always, we are very enthusiastic about the lineup of workshops we have for the girls this year,” AAUW-Sheboygan Branch Member and Girls STEM Day Conference Co-Chair Lori Bryne said. “We continue to have great attendance and very enthusiastic responses. We already have several girls who attended last year registered to come again this year.”
The registration fee is $10 per student, which includes instruction and supplies.
Checks can be made out to the AAUW Wisconsin Foundation.
The registration deadline is Friday, Oct. 25.
Sponsors for this year’s event include Bemis Manufacturing, Fehr Graham, Feingold Family Foundation, Frank G. & Frieda K. Brotz Family Foundation, Garton Family Foundation, Grover Family Foundation, Masters Gallery Foods, Northland Plastics, Richco Structures, Rockline Inc., Satori and The Vollrath Company.
In-kind donors are JoAnn Gadicke, Judy Hangartner, Dolcye Johnson and Laura Lienau, Marianne Comstock and Richard Linde, Old World Wisconsin Sausage Inc. and Z Spot Espresso & Coffee.
Founded in 1881, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances equity by empowering women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research.
The AAUW-Sheboygan Branch grants scholarships each year to non-traditional women students.
To register or for more information on the AAUW-Sheboygan Branch Girls STEM Day Conference, visit https://aauw-106470.square.site/ or call Sheboygan Branch AAUW member and Girls STEM Day Conference Co-Chair Lori Bryne by phone at 920-458-9224 or via email at loribryne@yahoo.com.
View the full Girls STEM Day brochure by clicking the link below —>