Source: Susan Arnold Christian, 785-532-6152, suarnold@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Mary Rankin, 785-532-6715, mrankin@k-state.edu
Thursday, October 4, 2007
K-STATE WORKSHOP FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS TO FOCUS ON DISASTER RESPONSE
MANHATTAN -- When a tornado hits or a hurricane strikes, engineers and scientists are among the first on the scene to help return life to normal. To demonstrate to young women the role they can play in such a response, the GROW, or Girls Researching Our World, program at Kansas State University will host "Engineers and Scientists to the Rescue."
The popular workshop, presented in 2005 and 2006, will be 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. Sessions will focus on how scientists and engineers help prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters.
"We are very excited to be offering this workshop for the third time," said Susan Arnold Christian, K-State's Women in Engineering and Science program outreach program coordinator. "Response to our previous 'Rescue' workshops was so positive that we wanted to offer another group of young women the opportunity to take part in the experience."
The workshop is open to all sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade girls. With K-State students as chaperones, the girls will be put into small groups to perform hands-on activities. Emphasis will be on the rescue team experience and solving such problems as ridding homes and buildings of dangerous molds, organizing food and supplies distribution, predicting where tornados will hit and more.
Registration deadline is Oct. 8 or until the event is full. Cost is $10 and includes all supplies and lunch. Teachers are invited to attend with their students to observe the activities, which will take place at various locations on the K-State campus. For additional information, contact the Women in Engineering and Science program at 785-532-6152 or visit the program's Web site at http://ww.k-state.edu/grow
The GROW Program is funded by K-State's Targeted Excellence and Women in Engineering and Science programs. It is designed to introduce middle school girls to science, technology, engineering and mathematical fields.