BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Efforts to get more girls thinking about and pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and math continue across the state.

Bowling Green State University is one school at the forefront, making sure girls see themselves in such fields, while inspiring and empowering them. 

What You Need To Know

• This year, marked the 40th Annual Women in STEM at BGSU


• 350 middle school girls attended the summit this year


• Currently, there is a waiting list for girls to come and learn from women already in their respective fields

Girls from northwest Ohio attended the day-long summit. It gave them an opportunity to take their math, science and artistic skills and put them to the test in hands-on workshops.

Some workshops included constructing insulation for the walls of homes, learning about space science and forensics. Mainly women who serve as BGSU professors and other STEM professionals from the community took the time out to share with the girls about their particular fields, while giving them a chance to explore, ask questions and help one another during the workshops. 

Bowling Green Middle School student Emma Nester learned quite a bit. Math and science have always been something that she’s had a knack for in school. While she came in with an interest in space science, she was looking to gain more insight on the technology side.

“I just want to explore a little bit so I can find out what I want to do in the future,” she said.

Although she’s not sure of the exact field she wants to pursue, she is confident that she wants to be a woman in STEM. That’s why she soaked up everything she could, including her time with other girls she worked with at the summit. 

Grateful for that experience, Nester said she found, “working with someone actually makes me more successful.”

“It just makes it better because you have someone to share your thoughts with,” she said.

That’s especially true for things she works on that appear to be a little tough. Plus, she acknowledged her peers can be more creative in some areas than she is, so when she’s not able to think of something, she knows they’re right there and ready to assist.   

In the meantime, Jenna Pollock, BGSU Education Program Manager for the NW Ohio Center for Excellence in STEM Education, explained that summits like the one they host plays a critical role in the lives of the girls who attend. For many, it’s their first time on a college campus. Yet, aside from them, they’re being exposed to not only knowledge, but women who have already pursued the path they may desire in STEM fields.

“Knowledge is power. And I’m not just saying content knowledge… their content knowledge is increased, but also just their awareness…their awareness of the world around them and other people around them, that increases their confidence as well,” Pollock said.

She noted that at the girls’ age, it’s the time when they think about their future. Which is why Pollock believes providing accessibility to such information, while allowing the girls to see themselves in fields they may have an interest in, is key.