DSC Gets WISE in Inspiring Women to Seek STEM Careers

The Da Vinci Science Center will expand its efforts to encourage young women to pursue scientific and technical careers with its Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Forum and WISE Academy events in Feb. 2016.

Presented by Daiichi Sankyo, the WISE Forum on Feb. 4, 2016, will offer high school students a unique opportunity to network with leading female professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields during a dinner event and public panel program. The WISE Forum will be held at the Renaissance Allentown Hotel from 5:30-8 p.m. The WISE Academy for middle school students will offer engaging hands-on activities led at the Da Vinci Science Center by female STEM professionals and college students.

The Da Vinci Science Center produced a Women in Science Week of visitor activities in 2011 and the Lehigh Valley area’s first formal Women in Science event in Sept. 2014 in partnership with Cedar Crest College.

The creation of the Da Vinci Science Center’s WISE initiative is a response to national trends – trends reflected regionally – in which women comprise approximately 48 percent of the American workforce but only 24 percent of STEM professionals are female, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. As part of formalizing its continued efforts.

“In promoting our mission to bring science to life and lives to science, the Da Vinci Science Center is dedicated deeply to ensuring that absolutely all lives are brought to science – including each and every girl or young woman in the Lehigh Valley,” said Lin Erickson, the Center’s Executive Director and CEO. “The WISE initiative is helping to enable STEM companies meet their critical needs for new professionals by drawing from the widest possible pool of talented and creative individuals who are poised for success and impact.”

The Da Vinci Science Center has formed a WISE Advisory Council of accomplished female professionals and respected educators to help lead the initiative. The date for the WISE Academy, details for both WISE events, and contact information will be made available on the web at davincisciencecenter.org/WISE.

Distinguished participants in the Sept. 2014 Women in Science event included former NASA Astronaut Mary Ellen Weber, Ph.D., from Dallas, Texas.; Carmen Ambar J.D., President of Cedar Crest College; Jennifer Bryne, Ph.D., Vice President, Engineering and Technology, Aeronautics for Lockheed Martin Corporation; and Brigadier General Miyako Schanely, Deputy Commander of the 412th Theater Engineer Command of the U.S. Army. More than 300 Lehigh Valley area students took part in the event.