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MEDIA CONTACT: AREAS OF INTEREST: Education, Women, Non-Profits, Calendar, Metro, Life/Arts, Features, Science and Technology VISUAL OPPORTUNITIES: Interview with Girlstart Program Manager Katelyn Wamsted; 6th to 8th grade girls participating in a number of visually dynamic workshops led by professional women (please see descriptions below). GIRLSTART TO HOST “EXPANDING YOUR HORIZONS” MARCH 29 AT UT; CURRENT “SURVIVOR” CAST MEMBER ALEXIS JONES (Austin, TX —March 6, 2008) Girlstart, an award-winning Austin-based non-profit organization dedicated to empowering girls in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) has announced that it will be hosting this year’s “Expanding Your Horizons” (EYH) at the University of Texas at Austin on March 29, 2008. Registration for girls is $25, is open until March 14 and can be done by visiting www.eyhaustin.org. Seats are extremely limited, so early registration is encouraged. EYH is presented by Applied Materials, with additional support from FOX 7. The day-long program will be jam-packed with up to forty-five exciting and inspiring workshops presented by approximately ninety professional women. The workshops range from learning about the nuts and bolts of a NASA space mission, to the chemistry of making your own cosmetics. Other workshops include: • Former zookeeper and Austin Nature Center volunteer Elizabeth Jarrett will bring several animals in order to discuss animal behavior and what it takes to be a zoologist; • Laura Donnelly from Latinitas, Inc. will guide the girls through the world of radio technology and how DJs do their jobs; • Architect Susan Welker will help girls explore how topography influences the design of a building. Girls will have a chance to make their own models. • And many more! The girls will also have the rare opportunity to meet current cast member on CBS’ Survivor: Micronesia Alexis Jones. Ms. Jones will be speaking about the importance of dreaming big, what it’s like to be on the show and her commitment to inspiring girls to achieve great things. According to Program Manager Katelyn Wamsted , EYH is a unique opportunity for girls to explore cool careers first-hand in sessions led by professional women with Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) backgrounds. “At Girlstart, we are dedicated to creating programs that thoroughly engage girls,” Wamsted said. “We want to show them that these subjects are exciting, vital and fun. More importantly, we want them to connect their experience to a rewarding career in math and science.” Workshops will be conducted by women who will answer questions about a variety of industries and fields. Each session provides hands-on, fun-filled learning experiences for girls in the 6th-8th grades. According to Michele Walker-Moak, Applied Materials Community Affairs, technology companies are primed to support programs that encourage girls. “We’ve had a long-term partnership with Girlstart, and their commitment to encouraging and inspiring girls is unparalleled,” Walker-Moak said. “We’re excited to provide a forum that will be instrumental in encouraging young girls to pursue their dreams and creating the next generation of technology leaders.” To request an interview with Ms. Wamsted, please contact Jennifer Hill Robenalt at 512.382.0303 or 512.653.9656, or simply email jennifer@hooplamedia.com. High-resolution images are available upon request. To view the FOX 7 public service announcement, please visit their site. |
