Searcy(LP)  Many are unfamiliar with exactly what Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, or STEM career is all about.  On February 17, Harding University engineering department held a day that was devoted to Arkansas High School students to learn more about these careers, and specifically what normal days look like on the job. The especially unique part of this is that the whole STEM Leadership Day focuses on girls, and how they too can be important individuals in these types of jobs. The main focus of STEM Day was to make it easier to provide women with services, and information on these types of classes while still in High School so that students can take STEM type of classes to improve interest.  Almost 200 students attended this event which is substantial considering the initial limit was 100 students.

Various Searcy High School students attended this day, with the help of their Physical Science, or Biology teachers. Each student had a different experience with this day, and we spoke to Sophomore, Kamie Provence on just how she learned, and was impacted by this day.  Provence says that, “I learned so much that I would have never learned if I hadn’t attended the conference. I learned the most about the endless job opportunities that are in the STEM field, and how many choices can come from one degree.”  The STEM day consisted of multiple women in the STEM field speaking to the students about their job, and how they impacted the community with their jobs.  Provence tells that, “Anne Clark, and her career at Bryce Corporation interest me the most. She spoke of how many job changes she had and described all of her experiences with each one. I was also very interested with the job of working in third- world countries, and caring for and checking on others’ health.”

STEM Leadership Day for Girls was a beneficial day for all who attended.  Kamie Provence, agrees with this, by telling us why she attended the conference. Provence states, “I attended this day because I was interested in knowing about STEM. We have discussed it in school, but very briefly. I was also interested because my step-mom is an engineer and loves her job, so I was excited to learn about why she loved it so much, and the background information behind each career. ”  This day was quite impacting to all who attended, and an overall success.