By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

SHEBOYGAN, WIS. (October 3, 2022) – The Sheboygan Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is preparing to present the fifth annual Girls STEM Day Conference Saturday, Nov. 5, at Sheboygan South High School, located at 1240 Washington Ave. in Sheboygan, Wis.

Since its inception in 2017, the popular event has strived to connect sixth through ninth-grade girls with the vast wonders of STEM by highlighting the core fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

The conference, which runs from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. starting with check-in from 8 a.m to 8:30 a.m., features 11 different STEM-inspiring sessions, along with a presentation from keynote speaker Kathryn Clouse, Kohler Co. Kitchen and Bath Products Innovation Program director, from 8:30-9 a.m.

“Our goal with the Girls STEM Day Conference is to encourage young girls to discover, explore and learn from STEM field experts in a wide range of specialty areas related to careers in science, technology, engineering and math,” Sheboygan Branch AAUW member and Girls STEM Day Co-Chair Dolcye Johnson said. “Since 2006, AAUW has taken on an initiative to empower girls to pursue careers in STEM fields. This initiative has taken several forms on a national level. Here in Sheboygan County, we are doing it through this conference.

“Last year, the event drew 65 girls and our goal for this year is 100,” she said.

The conference includes a diverse list of STEM field experts, including Clouse, who runs the Innovation Program for Kitchen and Bath Products at Kohler Co. In her position, Clouse helps ensure Kohler Kitchen and Bath products stay up to date with developing technology and innovative strategies in the field.

Clouse, who holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering mechanics from UW-Madison and a Master of Business Administration degree from UW-Oshkosh, advocates for women’s and girls’ topics often as the president of the Kohler Co. Kitchen and Bath Women’s Group and founder of the female-centered innovation focus within the women’s groups.

Conference participants will have the opportunity to choose three of 11 available 45-minute STEM sessions running between 9:15 a.m. and noon.

The STEM sessions over a diverse range of topics including architectural design (Architecture – Designed Awareness presented by Kurt Davis, Anne Blanke, Taylor Kranzusch, Sydney Goetsch, Sam Krakow of Abacus Architects), graphic design (Beginner’s Graphic Design presented by Deb Sevens of Designs by Deb Sevens), 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 UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan County Professor James Kabrhel and Sheboygan Falls Middle School teacher Pam Salm), food science (Sensory of Slices presented by Claire Collins of Sartori Cheese), the science of color and appearance (The Science of Color presented by Kohler Co. staff members Jennifer Tarplee, Rachel Feldmann, Kate Revelis and Stephanie Soendker), hydroponic gardens (Hydroponics presented by Plymouth High School agriscience teachers Tracy Heinbuch and Katelyn Sibley), binary number systems (Beaded Binary Bracelet Boutique presented by UW-Green Bay Senior Math Lecturer Synde Kraus) and the science of scents and fragrances (Flowers and Fragrances presented by MilliporeSigma senior scientists).

“We have a wonderful group of expert presenters, who are working in these STEM fields with many years of experience,” Sheboygan Branch AAUW member and Girls STEM Day Co-Chair Allyson Olivier said. “We have middle school and high school teachers, professors, police officers, veterinarians, engineers, product managers and developers and business owners that will be leading the STEM sessions.

“The presenters are genuinely happy to teach these sessions and the girls are so eager to learn,” she said. “It is fun to witness all the excitement that these sessions generate. The best thing is that they are all hands-on too. The girls actually get to experience what it is like to do these types of careers. Seven of the 11 sessions – Robotic Surgery, Beaded Binary Bracelet Boutique, Beginner’s Graphic Design, Flowers and Fragrances, Sensory of Slices, Crime Scene Investigation and Architecture-Designed Awareness – are new for this year.”

The registration fee is $10 per student, which includes instruction and supplies. The deadline to register is Friday, Oct. 28.

Sponsors for this year’s event include F.K. Bemis Family Foundation, Frank G. & Frieda K. Brotz Family Foundation, Feingold Family Foundation, Grover Family Foundation, Benninghaus Family Foundation and Masters Gallery Foods.

In-kind donors are Betty Humke, City Bakery, Dolcye Johnson, Judy Hangartner, Laura Lienau, Marianne Comstock and Richard Linde, Masters Gallery Foods, Old Wisconsin Sausage Co. and Z Spot Expresso & Coffee.

“We would like to thank the Sheboygan Recreation Department and Sheboygan South High School for being so great to work with last year and again this year,” Johnson said. “We are looking forward to having the Girls STEM Day event return to Sheboygan South High School on November 5^th.”

Founded in 1881, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances equity by empowering women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research.

The Sheboygan Branch of AAUW grants scholarships each year to non-traditional women students.

To register or for more information on the Girls STEM Day Conference, visit http://urezsignup.com/event/register.php?event_id=491122 or call Sheboygan Branch AAUW member and Girls STEM Day Conference Co-Chair Dolcye Johnson at 920-458-5819.