Enthusiasm filled the room as members of the Girls Learning About Math and Science (GLAMS) Committee met recently to plan the ninth annual conference for eighth grade girls to be held May 8 at South Arkansas Community College.
The conference brings in speakers from around the area to inform, entertain and encourage girls regarding careers in science, technology, mathematics and engineering. Throughout the years, the event has achieved such acclaim that area schools are contacting committee members to make sure eighth grade girls from their schools are on the list to attend.
Since the first conference in May 2011, the number of girls attending the event has more than doubled to over 250 eighth-graders from Union and several surrounding counties.
But an endeavor of this magnitude requires lots of help from the community – money to provide swag bags, donated items to fill those bags, T-shirts, goggles, refreshments and lunches. Lots of volunteers are also needed – teachers, team leaders, break-out session professionals, others to help at the registration desk and numerous other jobs.
As girls enter the El Dorado Conference Center on the day of the conference, they are seated at tables for eight to 10, each with a teacher and team leader. Each table has a scientific name, such as botany, microbiology, aeronautics, engineering, robotics, etc.
During the day’s conference, girls may listen to a dog’s heartbeat, or compete in teams to see how high they can construct a tower made of plastic drinking straws and tape. They may be learning about ultrasounds and other careers in the medical field, how to make a toggle switch or analyze the dyes in candies.
Breakout speakers will include representatives from regional manufacturing facilities such as AeroJet and Georgia Pacific, engineers and environmental specialists, mathematics and accounting representatives, EMT-paramedics and flight nurses, health care professionals and others.
To participate in this year’s GLAMS, contact Christy Wilson, [email protected], 870-875-7245 or Mary Kate Sumner, [email protected], 870-864-8433.
For more information, visit SouthArk.edu/glams.
Donors of the 2018 GLAMS include Madelyne M. and Edward McCarty Fund of the Union County Community Foundation, Entergy, United Way of Union County, Kiwanis Club and individual donors, Alice Mahony, Worth Camp Jr., Sylvia White, James and Lila Phillips, and Tom and Christy Wilson.