Penn State Brandywine is doing everything it can to give high school girls opportunities to pursue STEM careers, writes Michael McDade for Penn State.

On Nov. 25, about 100 high school girls from the Greater Philadelphia area visited Penn State at the Navy Yard for a college and career event, part of the campus’ STEM Options program.

The program for girls in grade nine through 12 explores STEM careers, how to prepare for a college major in STEM and best practices when applying to colleges.

It covers careers in biology, agriculture, animal science, medicine, forensic science, engineering, information technology and more.

This year’s program expands from a one-day event for seventh-grade girls to a full program for all high school girls.

“Research shows that middle school is the time when girls are either turned ‘on’ to or turned ‘off’ from considering a future in science, but a one-time program is not enough to sustain long-term impact,” said Laura Guertin who serves as chairman of the STEM Options Committee.

This year’s STEM Options program also included virtual presentations, a writing contest for girls in grades three through 12, a teacher workshop for middle school and high school teachers and the College and Careers events.

Read more about this STEM program for high school girls here.

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