STEM careers event for middle school girls set Feb. 23

The Sussex County STEM Alliance Inc. announced Avalanche Industries as presenting sponsor of its second annual Engineering Your Tomorrow event to be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Delaware Tech Partnership Center in Georgetown.

During the event for girls in sixth to eighth grades and their parents, girls participate in hands-on engineering and science activities throughout the day. Parents attend a panel discussion with some of Delaware’s top engineers and STEM-related career professionals. Discussion topics include the importance of supporting girls’ interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and how to select the appropriate coursework for careers 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 this shortage, we need to attract girls to the fun and fascinating fields of STEM. We are elated to have Avalanche Industries as our presenting sponsor for this important program,” said Mike Maksymow, vice president and chief information officer of Beebe Healthcare and founder of Sussex County STEM Alliance Inc.

For sponsorship and ticket information, go to www.sussexstem.org/EYT.