“The mission of Discover the Scientist Within is to introduce 6th graders to a variety of different STEM careers through interactions with positive women-in-science role models. The goal is to introduce 6th graders to STEM careers in which women are traditionally underrepresented. This day-long program consists of middle school students participating in hands-on workshops led by women in STEM, hearing from current women in STEM, and spending time with current women undergraduates, graduates, professors, and professionals.”
About Discover the Scientist Within
Discover the Scientist Within is a day-long program of hands-on workshops aimed to encourage 6th graders to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The event consists of four workshops, lunch, and a keynote speaker. Throughout the day, participants will learn about various STEM fields and their corresponding careers while having the opportunity to interact with current women in STEM. Register above before the event fills up!
The following is a sample schedule of the day:
Check-in
8:30 – 9:00 AM
Welcome
9:00 – 9:20 AM
Passing
9:20 – 9:30 AM
Workshop #1
9:30 – 10:20 AM
Passing
10:20 – 10:30 AM
Workshop #2
10:30 – 11:20 AM
Passing
11:20 – 11:30 AM
Workshop #3
11:30 AM – 12:20 PM
Lunch
12:20 – 1:00 PM
Keynote Speaker
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Passing
2:00 – 2:10 PM
Workshop #4
2:10 – 3:00 PM
Passing
3:00 – 3:10 PM
Closing
3:10 – 3:30 PM
Pickup
3:30 PM
Featured STEM Departments and Activities:
Astronomy: Two Small Pieces of Glass
In Tarleton’s Planetarium, immerse yourself in an exploration of how the telescope helps us understand our universe.
Biotechnology: Race to Understand DNA
Test your pipetting skills to load dyes into a gel and run a gel electrophoresis.
Chemistry: The Chemistry of Color
Use chemistry equipment to create a series of chemical reactions.
Engineering: Cats and Dogs Can Play Together
Interact with robots that look like cats and dogs and teach them to perform actions like walking, jumping, and saying hi.
Geology: Great Groundwater
Construct groundwater models and test groundwater flow and contamination.
Mathematics: From Loops to LEGOS: Stats that Stack Up
Get ready for a fun, hands-on adventure! Uncover the secrets of mean, median, mode, and range through interactive games and activities that help you unlock patterns in data.
Neuroscience: Discover your Nervous System
Learn about neuroscience, the brain, and record action potentials from your own nervous system.
Physics: Physics Lights Up the World
Use lights, batteries, and wire to construct circuits.
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Stephanie Salomone, University of Portland
Dr. Stephanie Salomone currently serves as the Associate Dean for Faculty in the Shiley School of Engineering at University of Portland in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Salomone also serves as a professor in the department of mathematics and is the director of the STEM Education and Outreach Center at University of Portland. In her various roles, she is very involved in STEM outreach and developing the next generation of STEM professionals.
Planning Committee
Dr. Mary Fennimore, Program Director & Chemistry Workshop Facilitator
Dr. Mary Fennimore currently serves as an organic chemistry instructor and the organic chemistry lab coordinator at Tarleton State University. When Dr. Fennimore was in the eighth grade, she attended a STEM outreach event that inspired her to be a scientist. She hopes to give back to the community by offering a similar opportunity that inspires middle school girls to discover careers in STEM.
Dr. Beth Riggs, Mathematics Workshop Facilitator
Dr. Beth Riggs is a Professor of Mathematics in the Department of Mathematics at Tarleton State University. She loves helping students explore mathematics through hands-on, discovery-based activities.
Dr. Victoria Chraibi, Biology Workshop Facilitator
Dr. Victoria Chraibi is an aquatic ecologist who studies water resources and algae, so she spends a lot of time wading in rivers or looking through a microscope. She also loves to garden, especially native pollinator gardens. She serves as an associate professor in the biology department and coordinates the education and outreach programming at Timberlake Field Station, which is a retired cattle ranch being remediated for native plants and animals. Originally from Colorado, she studied and researched in Canada and the Midwest before moving to Texas to join Tarleton in 2016.
Dr. Catherine Ronck, Geoscience Workshop Facilitator
Dr. Catherine Ronck is an assistant professor of geoscience at Tarleton State University. She teaches a wide variety of geoscience, environmental science, and earth science courses. Before joining the TSU faculty in 2013, she worked as a petroleum geologist for Texaco’s New Ventures Unit and Chevron’s Nigeria/Mid Africa Strategic Business Unit.
