Girls for STEAM Present ‘Girls Who Rock’

October 5, 2015

Spartanburg, SC– Girls for STEAM will celebrate Ada Lovelace and women trailblazers by learning about the benefits of math; the evolution of computers; and careers in science, engineering, and the arts Saturday, Oct. 17, 3 p.m. at the Spartanburg County Public Library’s headquarter in downtown Spartanburg. This is a free event with limited seating.

“Girls Who Rock” will be moderated by Mary Levens, past president and current archivist for the South Carolina Science Council and Administrator for Spartanburg Science Center. The celebration will include information on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), panelists, exhibits, awards, networking, prizes, and refreshments. This event is a collaboration of Girls for STEAM, Chapman Cultural Center, Spartanburg Science Center, and Web Code Chicks. First and second place winners of “When I Grow Up,” a fictional autobiography contest, will be announced.

Girls for STEAM is a nonprofit agency that promotes education for girls aged 6-18 years old. STEAM is an education initiative that developed soon after the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) initiative went global. STEAM stresses the need for the arts and creativity to be included in science-based education. Traditionally, science-based education has been geared toward male students — something Girls for STEAM is trying to change.

Lovelace was a gifted mathematician and founder of scientific computing. She is believed to have written instructions for the first computer program and serves as an inspiration for female students.

During “Girls Who Rock,” a panel of experts will talk about careers in STEAM. In addition, exhibits will include a doctor station by Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) students, information on women trailblazers, a Spartanburg Science Center display, a computer coding station by Web Code Chicks, a robotics/maker faire station, an arts table, and a math activity table.

To sign up and for additional information, please visit GirlsForSTEAM.org.