Sally Ride Science, Rice University, ExxonMobil, others help champion STEM fields

Longtime champions of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, Sally Ride Science, Rice University, ExxonMobil and others have once again teamed up to promote STEM fields and careers to middle-school students.

On October 25, 2014, over 1,000 girls, parents and teachers gathered in Houston for a hands-on, fun-filled day of science and socializing at the Sally Ride Science Festival at Rice University-part of a country-wide effort co-founded by the late Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, to inspire a new generation of female scientists and STEM leaders.

Women make up half the nation's workforce, but reports show that women hold less than 25% of STEM jobs. The festival aims to increase that percentage by featuring a variety of STEM-oriented activities to help introduce female students in grades 5-8, and their parents, to some of the nation's fastest-growing and highest-paying careers through workshops, street fairs, experiments, and keynote speakers.

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Former NASA Astronaut Wendy Lawrence
Photos by Sally Ride Science

The sold-out October event featured former NASA Astronaut Wendy Lawrence as keynote speaker and workshops for both students and parents. Student workshops included chemical engineering-focused topics such as Fun with Magnetic Fluids, and Creating Colors with Chemical and Physical Interaction, lessons in geology and earth sciences with the Hydrocarbon Hunt and The Study of Fossils, a Robotics Roundup featuring the field of computer science, as well as workshops focused on physics, mathematics, biology, technology, astronomy, and many more.

Parent workshops showcased the geology of Houston and Texas, presented information about raising a STEM-focused child, and discussed the link between toys and engineering.

"This festival presents a wonderful chance for students in Houston's middle schools-especially girls-to see the wide array of STEM fields and careers open to them," said Sally Ride Science CEO and co-founder Dr. Tam O'Shaughnessy. "STEM careers are often found in the fastest growing segments of our economy and can provide some of the best economic opportunities for students. The hands-on activities and role models that students will encounter at the festival are intended to help demonstrate many exciting and rewarding jobs that many students don't know about."

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Middle school girls participate in the Sally Ride Science Festival
Sally Ride Science

As part of the event, each student who participated took home a Sally Ride Science STEM careers book. The books profile diverse women and men working in STEM fields and showcase the wide array of careers available.

Sally Ride Science was cofounded in 2001 by Dr. Sally Ride to help educators in grades 3-8 spark and sustain student interest in STEM topics and careers. The company's pioneering professional development and engaging classroom tools build connections between students' academic work and the exciting STEM fields that offer so many opportunities in the 21st Century economy.

The 2014 festival, the 14th annual event, was made possible through presenting sponsors ExxonMobil and Rice University, with a generous contribution from long-time event supporter Deloitte, as well as through sponsorships from Baker Hughes, Enbridge, CenterPoint Energy, BASF, Cheniere Energy, Strike, Noble Energy, and CB&I.

Sally Ride Science Festival hits Houston

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