Join Headwaters Science Institute for the Women in STEM Speaker Series — right from the comfort of your own home. Over the course of a week, five prominent women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics will present on their respective areas of expertise.
These talks are designed to show kids what careers in STEM look like and to provide a fun element to connecting with scientists even though gathering in person is not presently possible.
With the face of education changing constantly, Headwaters believes it is important to offer free education for all students that is safe to participate in from home. The goal is to teach hands-on science, but through online delivery.
“I’m really excited for our speakers,” said Headwaters Science Institute founder and executive director Meg Seifert. “Our team worked hard to bring in some great women. I also work hard to inspire women in science and we have these amazing women that will be joining us over the two weeks of the fundraiser.”
In total, there will be five speakers with two lunchtime presentations and three evening sessions. The evening series will feature “Mother of Sharks” Melissa Cristina Marquez on Aug. 17 at 5:30 p.m. for What Sharks Have Taught Me About Science and Life. A well-known shark scientist who lives in Australia, Marquez has been on the Nat Geo, BBC, and Discovery channels.
On Aug. 20 at 5:30 p.m., Mary Ellen Hannibal, author of five critically acclaimed books and pioneer of citizen science, is the featured presenter, and on Aug. 26 at 5:30 is Tucker Malarkey, author of national best-sellers Stronghold and An Obvious Enchantment.
Lunchtime professional scientist talks include hydrologist Annalise Blum on Aug. 18 at 11 a.m., discussing the impacts of flooding, and Jessica Tse on microbiology and women in science at 11 a.m. on Aug. 25.
Attend these talks offering a glimpse into science careers and sharing why science education is important to our community on the institute’s Facebook page and YouTube Live. These presentations, all of which are followed with a question-and-answer period, are free, but those attending are encouraged to “purchase” a ticket by making a donation on the Headwaters website.
“The fundraiser is important because Headwaters has transitioned all of our program time to online learning,” director Seifert explained. “While we have a lot of people using our lessons, and many teachers that will use them this fall, we don’t charge for them. We want every student and teacher to have access regardless of income. Therefore, instead of schools paying a fee for service, we have to raise the money to produce these lessons. Most schools have budget cutbacks as well as increased expenses and they can’t help cover the costs right now. We are committed to working harder than ever to get everyone great science.”
INFO: headwatersscienceinstitute.org
Main Image Caption: MOTHER OF SHARKS: Australian shark scientist Melissa Cristina Marquez has been featured on Nat Geo, BBC, and the Discovery Channel, and is a featured presenter at the Women in STEM Speaker Series. Courtesy photo
