CANTON, Ohio — Handmade paper rockets launched with empty soda bottles was just one of the activities at the first Girls in S.T.E.A.M. initiative on Monday.
"This is an opportunity to expose the young girls and women to STEM fields. And this should be an all hands-on-deck activities," says Emilia Sykes, the U.S. Representative for Ohio’s 13th District and the person behind the event.
This "Beyond the Stars" event had a dozen girls learning about the approaching total eclipse and NASA's Artemis program to return humans to the moon and beyond. They also mingled with NASA Glenn Research Center personnel, including the deputy director.
"After talking to some of the girls who participated, they really enjoyed it and they learned quite a bit about ways that they can be involved in STEM fields," said Sykes.
The event took place at the William McKinley Museum in Canton. Rep. Sykes pointed out that many girls lose interest by middle school or are discouraged from pursuing STEM fields.
"We really wanted to provide a safe, encouraging, fun space for them to learn and grow," Sykes remarked.
Sykes serves on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. Its role is critical: to oversee federal energy, environmental and astronautical research and development.
"We talk a lot about the missing million, the very talented people who don't have the opportunities to find themselves in careers in STEM," said Sykes.
And we're going to need these people, like the students in attendance, to fill in the work gap facing STEM fields. Vital roles that will tackle real world problems, and improve our communities. And those future problem solvers could from Sykes' own 13th District.
"So we've talked to folks in the aerospace engineering, we've talked to pilots, we've talked to biologists, we've talked to medical doctors and engineers and architects,” stated Sykes. “And people are very excited to help us encourage more girls to be in this."
Sykes and her team are already working on the next Girls in S.T.E.A.M. initiative event. It will be open to public, and held within the 13th District. Congresswoman Sykes will have updates on her website.