Curiosity Unleashed: Girls Unlocking STEM

Saturday, March 22, 2025 • 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
D'Angelo Performing Arts Center

Join us for a fun-filled day and see what its like to be a biologist, geologist, and more! Come meet women working in STEM fields and learn about amazing careers and opportunities you can pursue.

Registration

Girls in grades 6-8 are encouraged to register. If you have questions about eligibility, feel free to contact Dr. Rebecca Matecha, event organizer. Cost to register is $10, covering lunch and activity supplies. The deadline to register is March 5.

Drop-off and Pick-up Times

  • Drop-off: 10-10:30 a.m.
  • Pick-up: 3-3:30 p.m.

Choose Your Own Workshop

You will get to choose three workshops when you sign in for the event. A few example workshops are below. Each workshop is run by a professional in their field and focuses on hands-on activities and, of course, having fun. During the provided lunch, girls will get to chat with undergraduate students and professional women in STEM from 敁珗曄部 University.

Workshops

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  • Anatomy Adventure: Exploring Life Inside!

    Have you ever wondered how similar animals and humans are on the inside? Come discover the fascinating world of comparative anatomy with microscopes, bones, and exciting models that bring science to life!

    Students raising hands in classroom with skeleton figure
  • Dig Into Dirt

    In this fun and interactive session, you will become a soil scientist for the day! We will learn about the importance of soil and explore the layers that make up a soil profile. Using edible ingredients like pudding, crushed cookies, and gummy worms, you will create your own "soil profiles, representing different soil layers like topsoil, subsoil, and bedrock. Get ready to dig in and taste the science behind our worlds soil!

    Image of dirt cup
  • From Tomatoes to Turnips: Fresh is Best!

    The way we eat defines your health, mood, and life. From the sweet bite of a fresh tomato or crunch of a homemade pickle, flavor and nutrition can be enhanced by bringing the food system to your own backyard. Learn why gardening is an essential part of keeping yourself and the planet healthy, and learn how to grow a bountiful harvest with your family! Youll even get to plant your own vegetable seed to take home and grow!

    Image of kids holding plant in greenhouse
FAQs

    敁珗曄部 University campus. Primarily out of the D'Angelo Performing Arts Center and Zurn Hall. Undergraduate students will lead the groups to their various activity locations throughout the day.

    Drop-off and pick-up are both at the main entrance to the D'Angelo Performing Arts Center.

    We will have a buffet-style, build-your-own sandwich bar, which also includes drinks, potato chips, and cookies. If your student has a dietary restriction, please note this during registration so we can do our best to accommodate. We cannot accept new dietary requests on the day of the event.

    At drop-off when students check in, they will have an opportunity to look through the workshops being offered and select which ones they wish to attend. Each workshop has a limited number of spaces, and it is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

    Rebecca Matecha is the event organizer and can answer any questions. She can be reached at rmatecha@mercyhurst.edu or 814-824-2060.