STEM event open to middle school girls and parents April 14

The Office of the Chief Economist reports that women continue to hold less than 25 percent of jobs related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Sussex County STEM Alliance, a local, community-based volunteer group, is standing to facilitate a change in advancing and creating excitement around STEM for the youth of Sussex County.

The first event, Engineering Your Tomorrow, is geared to middle school-aged girls in sixth to eighth grades and will focus on making STEM exciting and accessible to young girls throughout the county. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, April 14, at the Carter Partnership Center on the Owens Campus at Delaware Technical Community College in Georgetown. The day will be full of fun, hands-on, engaging activities based on fundamental principles of science and engineering, led by successful women scientists and engineers.

Parents will also participate by learning and exploring education and career options available to girls in STEM fields.

"Our nation is experiencing a shortage of qualified STEM talent to fill the open STEM jobs. One of the contributing factors is the significant gender imbalance where 76 percent of STEM careers are filled by men. If we are going to remedy the shortage, we need to attract girls to the fun and fascinating fields of STEM," said Mike Maksymow, vice president and chief information officer of Beebe Healthcare and founder of Sussex County STEM Alliance.

This event is free with limited seating, and registration is required. For more information and for parents and students to reserve tickets, go to www.sussexstem.com/eyt.