Math-Science/Stem Conference for 8th Grade Girls

The Math-Science Conference committee has been working hard, and they are ready to welcome 612 girls from 22 different junior high schools throughout Yuba and Sutter Counties to the Math-Science Conference at Yuba College on Wednesday, April 1. The Marysville-Yuba City Branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women) has been putting on this conference once a year since 1985. The event started out using local church facilities, but when more space was required they moved over to Yuba College where several buildings are used there during a time when the college is not in session.

This year 19 professional women have kindly offered to be session leaders and will be at Yuba College all morning on April 1, at 9 am to talk to the girls about their careers in medical fields, veterinary science, and engineering (among others), and how the STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) have been important to them in the workplace.

The 8th grade girls will participate as a group in an opening ceremony with the keynote speaker, Sutter County District Attorney, Amanda Hopper. Then each girl will attend three different sessions in the interest areas that they have selected. The day ends as they once again all join together with their teachers for lunch in the college cafeteria and an optional tour of the college campus.
The Math and Science teachers who bring their students to the event find it very beneficial in helping the girls prepare for high school. The Conference helps them to begin thinking about future careers, and most teachers bring their 8th grade girls back year after year.