Stephen F. Austin State University

Girls in sixth through eighth grades can investigate careers ranging from nursing to crime solving at the Feb. 23 “Expanding Your Horizons in Mathematics and Science” conference at Stephen F. Austin State University.

The annual conference exposes young girls to an array of career opportunities through hands-on workshops led by local professional women. “Expanding Your Horizons” is hosted by SFA and the local chapter of the American Association of University Women.

“National statistics have shown that during junior high school many girls choose not to take math and science classes, which is why this age group is targeted for the conference,” said Dr. Lauren Scharff, SFA psychology professor and co-coordinator of the conference. “Hopefully, the girls will be inspired by some of the careers they learn about and be motivated to take a challenging curriculum, so they will be well prepared when it is time to choose a college and a career.”

The young participants choose from among 30 different 45-minute career workshops offered, including sports medicine, photography, dentistry, journalism, chemistry, hospitality, and wildlife management. Many of the jobs highlighted are not traditionally held by women and involve math, science or both.

In a workshop led by a local prosthetic-care professional, girls will get to see what it feels like to walk on prosthetic feet. In another, a local pharmacist will help the girls formulate their own unique lip balm and hand cream using special pharmaceutical equipment. Girls will combine technical skills with their own creativity in the architecture workshop to design a building that is both functional and visually appealing.

“Of course, the most critical component to this is that all of these careers require a college education,” Scharff said.

The conference will be from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Baker Pattillo Student Center, located on the SFA campus. Parents and teachers are invited to attend a separate workshop titled “College Knowledge” and tour the SFA campus.

The registration fee for both girls and adults is $15 and includes lunch, a conference t-shirt and a chance to win door prizes. The girls also will receive a goody backpack for participating. The registration deadline is Feb. 16.

Registration forms and other information can be found online at http://sfasu.edu/go/nac-eyh.