While searching various subjects on science and technology, I came across an organization that supports girls and science. Expanding Your Horizons (EYH) is a non-profit organization that supports girls in selecting careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). This organization consists of teachers, scientists, family members, community officials, and government representatives.
The network began very informally in the San Francisco Bay area in 1974 after a group of women scientists and teachers began meeting. The women received a grant in 1978 by the Carnegie Corporation to support their efforts. A resource center with professional staff members was created in 1980. The network became an official organization in 1982. The offices for the network at now located at Mills Hall.
The organization’s programs are designed around the following ideas:
· Our society needs to increase the number of women that take part in (STEM) careers.
· Girls should be directed in taking appropriate science and math courses.
· Girls need to be encouraged to participate in math and science programs by increasing their enjoyment in the study, connecting the subject to their lives, building confidence, and developing positive female role models.
· Financial support is also needed.
Today the network holds conferences in over 89 locations. There have been over 625,000 girls attend the conferences. Most of the conferences are held at major universities on Saturdays. Middle school and high school girls attend and are in involved in hands-on activities that deal with math, science, and engineering. Women who specialize in the field conduct them. The women discuss career information and direct the girls in the next steps of their education.
The network has a newsletter, The Broadcast, which is created every few months. In each issue a different EYH conference is spotlighted. The newsletter also offers updates on women in science, math, and engineering. The Broadcast is sent out to all members of the Math/Science Network.
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