UAlbany to Host STEM Leaders of Tomorrow

Close to 60 girls from Albany and Schenectady will get the chance to explore science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) at UAlbany through the Girls Inc. Eureka! program.

The science day camp is hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences and offers girls from underrepresented groups hands-on learning experiences and field trips from July 8 through Aug. 2. Four departments, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and Physics, will each offer an instructional program to the first-year Eureka! students during one of the four weeks.

Students in the second year of the program will be taught by faculty from the departments of Psychology, Physics, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Mathematics & Statistics.

“Public engagement is a priority in the University’s strategic plan. We are proud of our CAS faculty for giving back to the community by teaching the academic courses and helping the girls with their final projects,” said CAS Interim Dean Jeanette Altarriba. “By exposing the girls to hands-on experiences, we hope to open doors to future career opportunities in STEM fields.”

Girls Inc. Eureka! is a free program that provides girls with an introduction to STEM, personal development, sports, mentorship and career exploration. Girls commit to the program for five years.

Students new to the program this year will tour the Mesonet weather facility, visit the University’s Atmospheric Sciences Research Center and learn about biology, chemistry and physics.

The Performing Arts Center and physicist Keith Earle will work with the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company to teach returning students about ChoreoPhysics, the interplay between modern dance and physics. The young women will also visit psychology labs, conduct electrical and computer engineering experiments and tackle hands-on math and statistics problems.

You can watch a video of last year’s Eureka! program on the UAlbany campus.

Faculty interested in working with Girls Inc. students can contact Assistant Dean for Public Engagement Deb Privott.