Vol. 38, No. 18

3-17-2004
By:

Women in Science Day is April 2

Each year, a few hundred students in seventh-10th grades from more than 20 central Ohio schools descend upon Ohio State to attend Women in Science Day, a program sponsored by the Association for Women in Science of Central Ohio (AWISCO). The all-day program includes dozens of workshops led by women faculty and staff in various disciplines in science, engineering and medicine.

“Women, science and leadership are three words that are not linked as often as they should be,” said Raquel Diaz-Sprague, executive director of AWISCO and an adjunct instructor in the School of Allied Medical Professions. “A thorough grounding in math and science is essential to a well-rounded education, for girls as well as boys. Education can lead to satisfying careers, economic self-reliance and opportunities for fulfillment and leadership.”

On April 2, the participants will arrive on campus at 8 a.m., meeting in the Ohio Union East Ballroom, and from there, disperse into their chosen workshops — one morning and one afternoon — selected from nearly two dozen options. Honors students, workshop leaders and volunteers will escort the girls to and from the workshops, which are held all over campus and led by women scientists and researchers at Ohio State. At lunch, the attendees will hear a keynote speech from an eminent woman scientist. In recent years, Ellen Mosley-Thompson, professor of geography, and Allison Snow, professor of evolution, ecology and organismal biology, have presented. This year, Joan Herbers, dean of the College of Biological Sciences, will share her discoveries on “Amazing Ants.”

“Workshop leaders and speakers make excellent role models for the young visitors, affirming the notion that virtually every position in every field in the university is open to them,” Diaz-Sprague said.

At the end of the day, students and teachers will provide a detailed evaluation of the program content, learning of the subject matter and the quality of the experience. Diaz-Sprague said demand for this program has steadily increased over the years, and teachers begin asking for the date early in the fall.

“For the visiting girls, this large research university becomes an all-you-can eat buffet for the mind,” Diaz-Sprague said. “From astronomy to veterinary medicine, the take-home lesson is science is a ‘girl thing.’ After a long day of learning on campus, the girls’ attitude toward science is positive and their outlook is ‘I can do it.’”

Women in Science Day was established in 1981 by AWISCO, an organization dedicated to promoting equity, ethics and full participation of women in science, technology and medicine. The initial funding came from a generous grant from Battelle. This year, Honda of America, Columbus State Community College and the Ohio State colleges of FAES, Biological Sciences, and Medicine and Public Health, the P-12 Project and the Multicultural Center have joined Battelle as contributors to the program.

“Women in Science Day gives bright girls an opportunity to see the friendly side of a large research university and a glimpse at the life and work of women scientists,” Diaz-Sprague said. “The hands-on workshops, experiments and learning experiences are helping develop the minds of the next generation of Ohio women. Should they persevere and succeed in science, technology and medicine, they will enhance the educational level, median income and general prosperity of the region.”

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