Jamestown  (CSi)  The AAUW – Jamestown Branch is one of 23 sites across the country to host a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) event for Middle School girls titled Tech Savvy.

Regional Campaign Manager – Team Lead,of the ANCHOR Partnership Program, Joan Enderle says,this is the 3rd year for the the girls event, Tech Savvy, to be held on the campus of the University of Jamestown.   All Stutsman County schools have been invited to attend.   A similar event for middle school boys will be held at the middle school and led by STEM center at VCSU,  STEMtastic.  In conjunction with the event there will be a parent session.
The event is March 7, 2017.   Volunteers are needed to help that day, and parents  are encouraged to sign up, along with funding support.

About 300-320 boys and 300-320 girls are anticipated to participate.

The parents program, part of the girls event is open to all parents and interested adults, to be held at the University of Jamestown’s Reiland Fine Arts Center form 8:30 a.m., to 2:40-p.m.  The cost is $10 and includes lunch the day of registration.

Their program includes attending the opening, lunch and the keynote speakers who will be speaking the students, on cultivating students achievement and interest in science and engineering, college savvy- what every parent needs to know, such as saving for college, and other topics.

On Wednesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable, were AAUW Tech Savvy Co-Chair Erica Althoff, and Jamestown Middle School, Principal, Ryan Harty.

Erica said, according to AAUW research, while women make up over 50-percent of college graduates, women are under represented in many science and engineering occupations.  Although women make up more than half of working biological scientists, they make up less than 7-percen of mechanical engineers.

The day will consist of speakers, and hands-on workshops in various math, science and technology fields.

Ryan added STEMtastic for middle school boys was created as a STEM focused career event for them in Stutsman County in collaboration with Great Plains STEM Education at VCSU, and Dr. Jamie Wirth.

STEMtastic at Jamestown Middle School on March 7th will also have hands-on workshops in various math, science and technology fields, and a guest speaker.

Ryan pointed out that of the  $11,000 needed, all but $700 has been raised, with more funding requests, out, along with educating the community about the program and how to encourage kids in STEM fields.

To learn more about the programs visit the Jamestown Middle School web site, or the AAUW web site: www.jamestown-nd.aauw.net