wytana Shrewsbury, lejt, ana nnashe Williams worn together on the computer
during the Women in STEAM conference held at Atkins High School on
Saturday, Nov. 19.
? '
Volunteer Emma Anbrosious leads a math lesson during the Women in STEAM
Conference held at Atkins High School on Saturday, Nov. 19.
Wake Forest Baptist Health pediatric specialist Dr. Karyn Gordon encourages
students to follow their dreams during the Women in STEAM Conference held
at Atkins High School on Saturday, Nov. 19.
STEAM
from page AJ
a decade, Gordon said
there are still times where
patients look at her and
think she isn't qualified.
For example, Gordon
described one incident
where a child was suffering
from meningitis and need
ed blood to be drawn. With
little time left before the
situation became life
threatening, Gordon said
the mother of the child
refused to let her draw the
child's blood.
Luckily, Gordon
ignored the mother's
threats to take her to court
and saved the child's life.
"It doesn't happen as
often as it use to, but peo
ple look at me and don't
think I have the ability to
do it," she continued.
"Sometimes you want to
turn around and start cry
ing because it hurts, but
you have to stand up and
take it.
"Sometimes it can
make your armor that
much stronger and make
you more determined to
prove them wrong ."she
said.
After the panel discus
sion, students had the
opportunity to sharpen
their STEAM skills by
doing several hands-on
experiments. While com
pleting a science experi
ment, Atkins High School
t sophomore Ka^la Horton
said after listening to
Gordon she is now even
more excited about follow
ing her dream to become a
chemotherapist.
"It inspired me to keep
pushing," said Horton. "I
know there will be people
who will have their doubts,
but after listening to Dr.
Gordon, I have more confi
dence in myself and my
abilities."
Atkins freshman
Wyland Shrewsbury, who
wants to become an
OG/GYN specialist, said it
felt good to be around peo
^ple who have similar inter
ests as her.
After the hands-on
experiments, students sat
down with representatives
from local colleges and
universities to discuss
internships.
Representatives from
North Carolina Central
University, Forsyth Tech,
Winston-Salem State
University and a number of
local businesses were all
on hand during the confer
ence.
While the students
were excited about all the
events included in this
year's conference, arguably
the most excited person in
the building was event
coordinator Monika
Vasili. Vasili, who is a sci
ence teacher at Atkins, said
when she started the con
ference in 2012, her goal
was to show girls that they
are just as smart and talent
1
ed as boys.
"Growing up in a com
munist country, I under
stand all too well what it's
like having someone say
you can't do something,"
she continued. "So when I
came to Atkins and seen
how many girls wanted to
go into the science and
medical fields, I wanted
them to know they have
my support."
Although the confer
ence has ended, the work
to inspire young girls to
follow their dreams is an
ongoing process. To ensure
they are on the right path to
reach their goals, every
student who attended this
year's conference will be
paired with a "big sister"
who will help them get
involved locally with
STEAM.
When discussing the
future of the conference,
Vasili said she hopes to see
the event continue to grow.
She said next year her goal
is to fill the entire auditori
um with girls from the area
who want to purse jobs and
careers in STEAM.
"The growth over the
last four years has just been
amazing. I can't wait to see
how many girls show up
next year," she said. "This
conference is all about
building confidence and
connections. Once you
have those things, the sky
is the limit."
*
SEPTIC TANK HEALTH AND MAINTENANCE
DO:
?ihni?hwM hmISMH-QM ??!???>**?
? tafMlktMttn'lw'HMariripteinwtMsi CI?i*MMvawT3in>v
? ?<>>?*1**111 ImiMitilw^w? M"***""***'""?*????! ig?i Mint.
DONT:
tnlO?
? Mn Mr nfftiftm *at
' ? ftatntaclMMMtoSMif mi part *pm KptcntfM
Environmental Health Vj j*''?"''.
(3M) 703-3223 ?J TXeDOOK.
*? ?- - - -w% ft lo. f
novemoer iy jv ?
6Mpjn.-IMpjn. ^HB a/ I
? Forsyth Tech Jy ?
I Mazia Woodruff Campus ^?/
4905 Lansing Orfvo I
Winston-Saiem W .
The North Carolina Black Repertory Company, Inc.
Adults - $26 | Sen/Student - $21
Children Under!5 - $15
TICKETS ON SALE N0W1
WWWi4C8LACKRB>.ORO
336-723-2266
GROUP RATES ARE AVAILABLE!
Arts Council Theatre
610 Coliseum Drive, Winston-Salem, NC
BLACK THEATRE IS FOR EVERYONE!
v?AfiV lit W Cm\m Bhrli lU?my Ciwyj ? mi ?? if tmim| Itm Tit Am C?8 <4Uim mi Hn* Cmmj Tlii pwfri fe-'J
COUNCIL www|yertriby*eN( ArnCee*il.?4hmwef*eDepaft?e?ofNaedA('*eri*eamfm
> ^