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CAMPUS NEWS


Attendance at the Digital Divas Conference continues to grow, reflecting girls’ increased interest exploring STEM-related futures.


Growing from the STEM Digital Divas inspires girls to pursue science and technology careers


Despite the gains women continue to


make in the American workforce, they remain underrepresented in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Women hold fewer than one in four STEM jobs, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, although women in STEM careers earn 33 percent more than women in non-STEM jobs. To address this gender gap and inspire


more women to pursue STEM studies, Eastern’s school of technology and extended programs office host two Digital Divas Conferences, day-long events for young women: one in November for middle school girls and one in April for high school students. Both take place in the EMU Student Center. “Digital Divas engages young girls


in technology and introduces them to exciting career opportunities,” says EMU


Program Manager Bia Hamed. “STEM fields continue to grow, and there’s definitely room for women within the science and technology industries. Female graduates from Eastern have received desirable internships and great job offers from STEM firms.” Event participants can explore more


than 20 interactive STEM sessions and network with industry leaders, professors and Eastern students. During last April’s event, young women enjoyed breakout sessions and hands-on workshops including 3D architectural modeling, creating mobile apps, chemical gardens and green chemistry. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell delivered the keynote address. Atendance has risen dramatically since


the event began in 2011, which might reflect a growing interest in STEM careers among young women.


“We’ve gone from about 50 participants


in the first year to more than 900,” Hamed says. “We used to hold one annual Digital Divas event for both middle and high school students. It became so popular, we decided last year to begin holding separate events.” Key event sponsors are ITC Holdings


Corp., LLamasoſt Supply Chain by Design, DTE Energy Foundation and Consumers Energy. Other contributors include A2 Yoga, Plante Moran and Allegra Printing. Tanks to their support, Digital Divas is a free opportunity for all students.


To learn more about Digital Divas, visit emich.edu/digitaldivas.


—Jeff Samoray


EASTERN MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2016 | 9


EMU FILE PHOTO, RANDY MASCHARKA


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