400 High School Girls to Explore Technology Careers at WSU’s SheTech

OGDEN, Utah – A hands-on technology conference for ninth through 12th graders will bring 400 girls to Weber State University March 31 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students will attend from Box Elder, Weber, Ogden, Morgan, Davis and Salt Lake school districts.

The College of Engineering Applied Science & Technology and the Women Tech Council will sponsor the first SheTech Explorer Day at Weber State.

Participants will spend the morning in a hands-on exploration of robotics, computer programming, digital media, health and science.

The noon lunch hour includes a keynote presentation by Cyndi Tetro, Women Tech Council president, a non-profit organization that provides mentoring and networking to women. Tetro also works as an Entrepreneur in Residence for Disney. The lunch will be held in the Shepherd Union Ballrooms.

In the afternoon, teams will participate in a surprise real-world, hands-on design challenge, where they will design, evaluate and present an innovative tech solution.

WSU Computer science instructor Faith Satterthwaite, who helped organize the event, said her own journey into technology began at the urging of a Weber State professor.

“I am grateful every day for the Weber State University professor who took me under her wing as an undergraduate student and pointed me in the direction of software engineering,” Satterthwaite said. “I want my own three daughters to know they can achieve great things, and a career in science, engineering, technology or math (STEM) will provide the kind of career they can find work anywhere at any time.”

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Winter 2016 salary survey, STEM graduates receive the highest starting salaries, are the most sought after and have the highest earning potential. Engineering degrees top the starting salary list followed by computer sciences and information science.

SheTech participants will hear about the opportunities and then explore the fun of STEM careers.

“It's an experience participants will remember because it will stretch their minds,” Satterthwaite said. “Most girls don't understand how relevant STEM is to their lives. SheTech will show participants that STEM is involved in almost everything they are interested in and that STEM can help them achieve their dreams and goals in life.

For more information, visit shetechexplorer.com/weber.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

 

 

 

 

Author:
Allison Barlow Hess, Director of Public Relations
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu
Contact:

Faith Satterthwaite, SheTech organizer
801-395-3404 • faithsatterthwaite@weber.edu

Dana Dellinger, Center for Technology Outreach director
801-626-7552 • danadellinger@weber.edu