This content was published: April 3, 2006. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Science conference targets middle school girls
Photos and story by James Hill
PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Community College’s PAVTEC program is opening doors to the future of school girls in the Portland metro area.
PCC will host the 11th Annual Math, Science, and Technology Conference for Middle School Girls from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 13 at the Rock Creek Campus, 17705 N.W. Springville Road. This event is co-sponsored by the Oregon Department of Education.
This year’s theme is, “Opening Doors To Your Future," and will feature visiting middle schools from Washington and Columbia counties, Portland Public Schools and the Newberg School District. The purpose of this event is to encourage middle school girls to aspire to high achievement in math and science by exposing them to positive role models and hands-on experiences.
This year’s keynote speaker will be Lupita Maurer, a software design engineer at Tektronix. She’ll discuss how students can have fun with software and explore how it is written and developed. In total, there will be 36 presenters, including:
“Crime Scene Investigation: As Seen on TV?” What does it really take to investigate crime in the real world? Take on the task of searching for fingerprints, collecting evidence and reading blood patterns in this mock crime scene. Presented by Darcie VandenHoek, Evidence Technician with the Hillsboro Police Department.
“Ladies of the ARC” A hands on opportunity for girls to weld their own name plate. Presented by Connie Christopher, PCC Welding Department Instructor.
“It’s Not A Man’s World Anymore: Women and the FBI” This is an interactive presentation outlining what the FBI is and does, and addresses what it take to become an agent. Firearms, body armor, self-defense, and good healthy lifestyle choices are discussed. Presented by Sandra Flint, Special Agent, FBI.
“Lego Robotics” Girls will get the chance to explore robots and program them to do tasks. Presented by Cathy Swider, Project Administrator, Oregon Robotics Tournament and Outreach Program.
The purpose of PAVTEC is to enhance the access of high school and PCC students to quality professional technical (vocational) education. This encompasses a broad scope ranging from career development and guidance programs to technical skill development instructional programs. PAVTEC is a tech prep consortium composed of all of the K-12 school districts that are within the PCC district boundary.
For more information, call Michelle Robertson at 503-614-7738.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »