HOUSTON – Nov. 13, 2019 – A Spring ISD high school student is taking her passion for science and bringing together young women for the STEAM Your Future event on Nov. 16 at Carl Wunsche Sr. High School.

The event, launched by Wunsche senior Dawn Ford, is open to girls in grades 4-12 and aims to provide more information and resources for girls interested in science, technology, engineering, art and math. Ford says she decided to create the event to encourage more young women and girls to pursue career ambitions in STEAM fields.

“From a young age, I have always been interested in the STEAM fields,” said Ford. “While I was always delighted at any new opportunity to expand my understanding of STEAM, at times it was a rather lonely experience. I have often been one of the few girls in my team and class. For example, in my Career and Technical Education class of 21, there are only three girls. There are many young women that may feel discouraged from pursuing their interest in the STEAM field due to this lack of representation.”

Ford says the idea behind the event developed after joining the Pangea Network’s Young Women’s Leadership Challenge last summer – aimed at teaching young women how to be leaders in their community. Members are tasked with creating a Take Action Challenge service project and must execute it within their community.

Industry professionals will be on hand as guest speakers during the afternoon event, including Monica Foley, assistant to the Center Director at NASA Johnson Space Center; Sarah Swackhammer, a Rice University chemistry student; and Shandell Szabo, former VP of Exploration for Anadarko Petroleum. In addition, STEAM Your Future will include demonstrations, interactive challenges for students and informational booths from SkillsUSA, Siemens Energy, Lakefield Veterinary Group, MD Anderson Cancer Center, ExxonMobil and neighboring district Aldine ISD.

View the ‘STEAM Your Future’ event flyer.